Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Territorial

This goby has a peaceful, cautious, and highly observant temperament. They spend their days keeping watch outside their burrow while their shrimp partner works on excavation. Their timid nature means they need a calm environment to feel secure enough to stay visible.

Diet

Carnivore

Their diet should consist primarily of small, meaty marine foods suitable for their diminutive mouths. Offer them enriched brine shrimp, frozen mysis shrimp, and finely chopped seafood or high-quality micro-pellets. They are bottom feeders and will eagerly snatch food that drifts down near their burrow entrance.

Sex ratio

Flexible

They can be kept singly or in known mated pairs without issue. Keeping multiple unsexed individuals in a small tank may lead to territorial squabbles over prime burrow locations. In larger tanks with ample floor space, multiple individuals can often coexist peacefully.

Feeding frequency

Twice daily

They should be fed small amounts once or twice daily to keep them healthy and well-nourished. Target feeding near their burrow with a pipette can be beneficial to ensure they get their share without being outcompeted. Watch to make sure they are actively eating and not being scared away by faster tank mates.

Bioload

This small goby produces a very light bioload, making it suitable for smaller aquariums or nano reefs. Their minimal waste output is easily handled by standard mechanical and biological filtration systems. Regular, small water changes are sufficient to maintain pristine water conditions for this species.

Flow

Strong

A moderate, gentle water flow is preferred, as it gently brings food particles towards their burrow. Too much flow can disturb their sandy home and make it difficult for them to feed effectively. They thrive in calmer areas near the substrate where they can easily hover and observe.

Jump risk

Yes

Like many gobies, they are known to jump, particularly when they are first introduced or if they feel threatened. A secure, tight-fitting mesh lid is highly recommended to prevent accidental escapes. Ensure there are no gaps around filtration equipment or cables where they might slip through.

Reproduction

Oviparous

Breeding in the home aquarium is rarely documented, and the process is not well understood. In the wild, they likely spawn in their burrows, but rearing the pelagic larvae in captivity would be extremely difficult. At present, practically all specimens in the trade are wild-caught rather than captive-bred.

Compatibility & tankmates

Peaceful

They are extremely peaceful and somewhat timid, making them excellent candidates for community reef tanks. They should not be kept with aggressive, large, or predatory fish that might intimidate or eat them. They form a fascinating symbiotic relationship with Alpheus pistol shrimp, which should ideally be provided as a companion.

Tank level

Bottom

They are strict bottom dwellers that spend nearly all their time hovering just above or resting near their burrow. They require a deep sand bed to dig their homes, often in partnership with a pistol shrimp. They will quickly retreat into their hole at the first sign of perceived danger.