The Blue Goby is known from clear, shallow, tropical streams, often in the rapids section preceding waterfalls. Here the water is saturated with oxygen and the substrate consists largely of bedrock with scattered cobbles/boulders. These rocks are covered with a luxuriant, nutritious biofilm (known as aufwuchs) which forms under the favourable shallow, sunny conditions. Riparian vegetation lines the banks of these streams, which over time deposit leaf litter into the water. True aquatic plants are generally not present and few other fish inhabit these specialised environments, with the exception of one or two other species of goby and loach; however, several shrimps and snails are often found living sympatrically.
It is important that an aquarium for these fish is planned out in advance so that all their requirements are fully met. These fish have evolved to live in fast-flowing waters, where they use their modified pelvic disc to maintain their position on rocks amongst rapids. This high-velocity habitat must be replicated in the home aquarium by use of extra powerheads (in addition to the return flow from oversized filters) to create a river type effect. The surface of the water should be visibly moving to ensure that there is a high amount of oxygenation within the water at all times. An additional air-pump is also a handy back-up. Lighting should be bright to encourage algal growth on all the submerged surfaces in the aquarium, which will then become home to a plethora of micro-organisms upon which the fish will constantly graze. Without such a high level of oxygenation and water movement, and an ongoing natural food source, these gobies will not fare well at all. The substrate could consist of sand or small-grained smooth gravel, to which water-worn pebbles, cobbles, and small boulders should be added. As these fish like to dig (especially the males) it is a good idea to place larger rocks on the base of the aquarium before adding substrate, otherwise they could undermine the structures later on. Ensure that any driftwood pieces have been well-soaked prior to adding to the aquarium, in order that the leaching of tannins is minimal (as clearer water will promote better algal growth under artificial illumination).