Blackray shrimp goby

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Indo-West Pacific: from East Africa to the Philippines and Indonesia. Inhabits sheltered sand flats near coral reefs at depths of 15 to 45 meters.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the Gobiidae family. Slender body shape. The first spine of the dorsal fin is highly elongated into a long, dark thread. Grows up to 5 cm (2 inches).

Social Behavior: Symbiotic. Acts as a sentry at the entrance of a shared burrow. Warns the blind partner pistol shrimp (Alpheus randalli) of danger using tail flicks.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Pearly-white body with four dark brown diagonal stripes. Bright yellow snout. No external sexual dimorphism.

Aquarium Setup: Minimum tank volume of 60 liters (15 gallons). A 5 cm deep bed of fine sand mixed with rubble is absolutely required to help the pistol shrimp construct the burrow. Cover the tank.

Diet and Feeding: Carnivorous. Feeds on zooplankton. Provide target feedings near the burrow entrance of frozen copepods, brine shrimp, and finely chopped mysis.

Water Quality: Keep standard marine parameters stable: temperature 22-27°C (72-81°F), pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity 1.020-1.025, and KH 8-12.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Peaceful. Best kept with a symbiotic pistol shrimp. Avoid aggressive bottom dwellers or predatory tankmates. 100% reef safe.

Aquarium Breeding: Spawns in pairs inside the burrow, but larval rearing has not been successfully documented in home aquariums.

Risks and Diseases: High jumping risk. Safe and hardy once established in symbiosis, but vulnerable during acclimation if it fails to find its shrimp partner.