European Bullhead Goby

Cottus gobio

European Bullhead Goby is a peaceful bottom-to-middle swimmer. Best kept as a solitary specimen.

PeacefulBottom to middle swimmerBest kept as a solitary specimenBeginner – Intermediate

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Explore compatibility, care or problems using this guide and your aquarium’s conditions.

Quick facts

Adult size: ≤ 7.1" (≤ 18 cm)
Care level: Beginner – Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful
Swimming zone: Bottom to middle swimmer
Temperature: 36–68°F (2–20°C)
pH: 6.5–8
GH: 10–20 dGH
Diet: Carnivore
Lifespan: up to 5 years
Group behavior: Best kept as a solitary specimen

Care requirements

Care level: Beginner – Intermediate.

Lifespan: up to 5 years.

Water parameters

Suitable water: temperature 2–20 °C, pH 6.5–8, GH 10–20 dGH.

Temperament and compatibility

European Bullhead Goby is peaceful and suits calm community fish.

Swimming zone and behavior

This fish uses the lower to middle part of the aquarium, so leave enough open substrate area for movement and feeding.

Feeding

Use foods that suit a meatier diet and avoid combining it with fish small enough to be treated as food.

Offer suitably sized benthic animal foods; check that food is delivered around stones and shelters without excessive waste.

Before adding this fish

Avoid aggressive or highly competitive fish.
Best kept as a solitary specimen.
Offer a varied diet suited to this species’ documented feeding habits.

Natural habitat and origin

Origin: United Kingdom.

Important notes

Not a goby: Cottidae sculpin, a cool-water benthic specialist.
Cold, clean, well-oxygenated rocky stream habitat documented, but precise aquarium temperature and dimensions unverified.
Some brackish habitat records do not establish a captive brackish requirement.

Similar fish profiles

Use these profiles to compare fish with similar care level, size, temperature range, or swimming behavior.

Bluefin Notho Nothobranchius rachovii Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Beginner – Intermediate ≤ 2.2" (≤ 5.5 cm) 68–75°F (20–24°C) Bintan Licorice Gourami Parosphromenus bintan Similar care level Same temperament Same swimming zone Intermediate ≤ 1" (≤ 2.6 cm) 72–82°F (22–28°C) Blue Striped Rivulus Killifish Rivulus xiphidius Similar care level Same temperament Same swimming zone Beginner – Intermediate ≤ 1.8" (≤ 4.5 cm) 72–77°F (22–25°C) Adolfos Catfish Hoplisoma adolfoi Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Beginner – Intermediate ≤ 2.4" (≤ 6 cm) 68–79°F (20–26°C) African Banded Barb Barbus fasciolatus Similar care level Same temperament Same swimming zone Beginner – Intermediate ≤ 2.4" (≤ 6 cm) 68–79°F (20–26°C) African Freshwater Pipefish Enneacampus ansorgii Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 5.9" (≤ 15 cm) 75–81°F (24–27°C)

FAQ

How large does European Bullhead Goby get?

European Bullhead Goby reaches ≤ 7.1" (≤ 18 cm).

Is European Bullhead Goby peaceful?

Yes. European Bullhead Goby is recorded as peaceful and is best planned with calm community fish that do not harass it or dominate the feeding area.

What temperature is suitable for European Bullhead Goby?

Keep it between 2 to 20 °C.

Should European Bullhead Goby be kept alone or in a group?

European Bullhead Goby: Best kept as a solitary specimen.