Yasha goby
Stonogobiops yasha
The Yasha White Ray Goby is a prized, peaceful marine fish adorned with red and white stripes and a tall dorsal fin. It expertly pairs with pistol shrimp in a mutually beneficial burrowing lifestyle.
Water Temperature
22 - 27 °C
pH Value
8.1 - 8.4
Water type
Marine
Tank level
Bottom
Adult size
5 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 60 L
Minimum group
>= 1
KH
8 - 12 dKH
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat:
Native to the Western Pacific, from southern Japan to Indonesia and the Great Barrier Reef. It inhabits external sandy reef slopes at depths between 15 and 40 meters.
Taxonomy and Morphology:
Belongs to the Gobiidae family. It features a slender, cylindrical body that reaches a maximum length of about 4-5 cm. It has a characteristically long first dorsal fin ray.
Social Behavior:
A peaceful, shy species that lives in close symbiosis with the Alpheus randalli shrimp. It spends its life near the common burrow entrance, retreating inside at any sign of danger.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism:
The coloration consists of striking longitudinal red and white stripes on a light yellow body. The long dorsal fin ray is white. Males have a dark spot on their ventral fin.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup:
Requires a small nano reef from 40-50 liters. A substrate of sand mixed with coral rubble (5-8 cm) is critical to allow the shrimp to dig and reinforce the shared burrow.
Diet and Feeding:
Carnivorous. Feeds on zooplankton. Offer small frozen foods like copepods, brine shrimp, and lobster eggs. Ensure food reaches near the entrance of the burrow.
Water Quality:
Maintain stable water parameters: temperature 22-27 °C, pH 8.1-8.4, and specific gravity 1.020-1.025. Avoid strong water currents directed at the substrate.
Compatibility and Cohabitation:
Fully reef safe. It is highly recommended to keep it with its symbiotic shrimp Alpheus randalli. Coexists with peaceful fish swimming in upper levels, like clownfish.
Aquarium Breeding:
Breeding in the aquarium is extremely complex due to the long pelagic larval phase. They lay eggs in the shared burrow, which are guarded by the male until hatching.
Risks and Diseases:
The primary risk is jumping out of the tank when startled; a tight lid is mandatory. Avoid large, aggressive tankmates or territorial benthic fish.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to the Western Pacific, from southern Japan to Indonesia and the Great Barrier Reef. It inhabits external sandy reef slopes at depths between 15 and 40 meters.
Origin
Tropical oceans and reefsSouth and Southeast AsiaEast Asia
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- The overall temperament of the Yasha Goby can be best described as peaceful. Their disposition makes them a unique addition to the appropriate aquatic community, provided their specific needs are respected. Stressful conditions, such as poor water quality or overcrowding, can drastically alter their typical behavioral patterns. A quiet environment and a stable routine will bring out the most confident and engaging personality from this species.
- Diet
- Carnivore
- This species is known to be a carnivorous in its natural habitat, requiring a varied diet in captivity. To ensure optimal health and coloration, provide high-quality prepared foods alongside live or frozen options like brine shrimp or bloodworms. It is essential to match the food particle size to the fish's mouth structure to facilitate easy consumption. Regular rotation of dietary items will prevent nutritional deficiencies and keep the fish highly active.
- Life expectancy
- 3-5 years
- In the aquarium, this species has a lifespan of about 3-5 years. Providing a peaceful environment, a suitable sand bed, and the presence of the symbiotic shrimp *Alpheus randalli* are key factors in extending its existence. Constant water changes and a varied diet support its overall health.
- Adult size
- 5 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 5 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 4.7 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic record consulted is Stonogobiops yasha (v25.04); female record. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Sex ratio
- Flexible
- Maintaining an appropriate sex ratio is vital, and a balanced distribution of males and females often works best for the Yasha Goby. In many cases, keeping a ratio heavily skewed towards females can help disperse male aggression during the breeding season. It is important to monitor the group dynamics closely to quickly identify and isolate any bullied individuals. A well-structured environment with plenty of visual barriers will support a harmonious mixed-sex group.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- Establishing a consistent feeding routine is important, with 1-2 small meals per day being ideal for the Yasha Goby. Aquarists should carefully monitor the fish during feeding time to ensure every individual gets its share. Any uneaten food should be promptly removed with a net or siphon to preserve the pristine aquatic environment. During periods of breeding or elevated temperatures, the feeding frequency may be slightly increased.
- Bioload
- The Yasha Goby (Stonogobiops yasha) produces a low bioload in the home aquarium. Proper filtration is an absolute necessity to handle the waste output generated by this species. Enthusiasts should be prepared to maintain a strict water change regimen to keep parameters stable. Monitoring the biological capacity of the tank will ultimately prevent unwanted algae spikes and water quality deterioration.
- Flow
- Moderate
- Providing a moderate current is highly recommended for the overall well-being of the Yasha Goby. Adequate water circulation not only mimics their natural ecosystem but also ensures high dissolved oxygen levels throughout the aquarium. Hobbyists should avoid creating localized dead spots where debris might accumulate. Adjusting the filtration output angle can help achieve the perfect balance between steady circulation and calm resting areas.
- Jump risk
- Yes
- Aquarists should be aware that the Yasha Goby presents a high jump risk, especially when initially introduced or startled. A tightly fitting lid or a mesh screen cover is absolutely essential to prevent accidental escapes. Keeping the water parameters stable and avoiding aggressive tankmates will minimize the stress that often triggers jumping behavior. Ensuring the tank is kept in a relatively quiet environment can also help keep them securely in the water.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- The reproductive strategy of the Yasha Goby involves being a cave spawner. Breeding this species in captivity can be a rewarding challenge that requires dedicated conditioning of the broodstock. Specific triggers such as changes in temperature, diet, or water chemistry are often necessary to induce spawning. Once breeding occurs, specialized care for the fry, including appropriately sized live foods, is critical for their survival and development.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Peaceful
- When considering tankmates, the Yasha Goby is generally considered excellent reef safe shrimp goby. It is important to avoid housing them with overly aggressive or large predatory fish that could bully them or outcompete them for food. Careful observation during the initial introduction period is highly recommended to ensure harmony within the community. Selecting species that occupy different levels of the water column can further reduce territorial disputes.
- Tank level
- Bottom
- The Yasha Goby naturally gravitates towards the bottom section of the water column. Decorating this specific zone with appropriate hardscape, such as driftwood branches or rocky caves, encourages them to display their natural behaviors. It is important to ensure that water flow and lighting are optimized for this specific depth. Layering the tank inhabitants thoughtfully creates a visually dynamic and biologically sound ecosystem.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 3.2 ± 0.3 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5078
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.00741, b = 3.09
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (10 / 100)
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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