’o’opu nōpili
Name’o’opu nōpili
Scientific NameSicyopterus stimpsoni
Common Names’o’opu nōpili, Nopili Goby, Stimpsons Goby
FamilyGobiidae
OriginHawaiian Islands
Temperamentpeaceful
Dietherbivore
Care Levelexpert
Minimum Tank Size (Gallons)75
Max Size (Inches)7
Water TypeFreshwater
Temperature Range (°F)70-78
pH Range7.0-8.0
Compatible SpeciesNone
Description
The ’o’opu nōpili is a unique Hawaiian freshwater goby, endemic to the fast-flowing, oxygen-rich streams of the Hawaiian Islands. It possesses a specialized mouth adapted for scraping diatoms and algae from rocks, making it a dedicated herbivore. This species requires a highly specialized aquarium setup with strong currents and abundant biofilm, making it an expert-level fish.
