Bumblebee Gobies are tiny, colorful, and full of personality. These brackish-water beauties do best in peaceful setups. Choosing the right tank mates keeps your gobies stress-free and thriving.
In this guide, you’ll discover the best companions for your Bumblebee Goby, plus tips to help them all live in harmony.
Table of Contents
Top Bumblebee Goby Tank Mates
Bumblebee Gobies prefer brackish water (a mix of freshwater and saltwater), so it’s important to choose other species that can handle similar conditions:
1. Mollies
Mollies love brackish water and are peaceful. They’re active swimmers and won’t compete with gobies for space or food.

2. Knight Goby
These gobies share a similar temperament and environment. Just make sure there’s enough room and hiding spots to avoid any territorial behavior.

3. Amano Shrimp (with caution)
Amano shrimp are good algae-eaters and usually peaceful. Just make sure your gobies don’t mistake them for food!

4. Guppies (in brackish setup only)
If slowly acclimated to brackish conditions, guppies can be colorful companions. Choose calm, non-nippy varieties.

Tank Mates to Avoid:
- Cichlids (too aggressive)
- Betta fish (territorial)
- Fast, nippy fish like Tiger Barbs
- Any freshwater-only species (Bumblebee Gobies need brackish!)
Extra Tips for Success:
- Add plenty of hiding places like rocks, driftwood, and plants.
- Keep a gentle filter to maintain stable brackish water.
- Feed gobies live or frozen food like bloodworms—they’re picky!
- Maintain stable salinity levels to avoid stressing any fish.
Conclusion
With the right tank mates, your Bumblebee Goby will live a happy, stress-free life. Stick to peaceful fish that enjoy brackish conditions, and you’ll have a thriving, colorful aquarium that’s full of life and charm.