Naked-headed Shrimpgoby
Amblyeleotris gymnocephala
A peaceful marine shrimpgoby native to the Indo-Pacific, distinguished by its scale-less head and symbiotic relationship with Alpheus shrimps. Ideal for mature sandy substrates.
Temperatura da água
22 - 27 °C
Valor de pH
8.1 - 8.4
Tipo de água
Marinho
Nível do tanque
Parte inferior
Tamanho adulto
10 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 100 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 1
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This species is distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, ranging from the Persian Gulf to Indonesia and northern Australia. It inhabits sandy and muddy substrates of coastal bays and calm estuaries.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Belonging to the family Gobiidae under the genus Amblyeleotris. Characterized by a lack of scales on the head (hence 'naked-headed') and a slender body shape. Grows to about 10 centimeters.
Social Behavior: Peaceful and benthic. It forms a symbiotic partnership with Alpheus snapping shrimps, sharing a burrow dug by the shrimp while the goby acts as a visual sentinel at the entrance.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Displays a light greyish-white base body color with dark brown to reddish vertical bands along the body. No prominent external sexual dimorphism is observed.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Aquarium Setup: An aquarium of at least 100 liters is required. It is vital to provide a deep sand bed of at least 5-7 cm, mixed with small shell rubble, to support the burrow-building habits of the symbiotic shrimp.
Diet and Feeding: Carnivorous. Feeds on tiny crustaceans swept by the currents. Provide frozen mysis, brine shrimp, cyclops, and high-quality sinking marine pellets near the entrance of their burrow.
Water Quality: Maintain standard marine parameters: temperature range of 22.0 to 27.0 °C, pH of 8.1 to 8.4, and specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025. Good filtration is necessary to keep the substrate clean.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Extremely peaceful. Highly suitable for community reef aquariums with passive tankmates. Do not house with large predators or highly territorial bottom-dwelling fishes.
Aquarium Breeding: Spawning in captivity is undocumented. The prolonged pelagic larval stage and the requirement for microscopic live foods make raising the fry extremely difficult in private aquariums.
Risks and Diseases: Jumps easily when startled; a covered tank is essential. Keeping this goby without a suitable sand bed or its symbiotic partner will result in chronic stress, hiding, and feeding refusal.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
This species is distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, ranging from the Persian Gulf to Indonesia and northern Australia. It inhabits sandy and muddy substrates of coastal bays and calm estuaries.
Origem
Oceanos tropicais e recifesSul e Sudeste AsiáticoAustrália, Nova Guiné e Oceania
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Territorial
- The Amblyeleotris gymnocephala possesses a generally peaceful yet somewhat timid and cautious temperament. It relies completely on its burrow as a safe haven, retreating instantly at any sign of perceived danger. In the wild and in captivity, it acts as the vigilant lookout while its visually impaired shrimp partner maintains their shared home.
- Dieta
- Carnivore
- In its natural habitat, the Amblyeleotris gymnocephala functions as a micro-predator, consuming benthic invertebrates and passing zooplankton. Captive specimens typically adapt quickly to a carnivorous diet consisting of frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and sinking micropellets. Ensuring that food reaches the lower levels of the aquarium is essential for their long-term nutritional health.
- Expectativa de vida
- 3-5 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 10 cm
- Proporção sexual
- Flexible
- It is generally advisable to keep the Amblyeleotris gymnocephala singly unless you can acquire a confirmed mated pair. Attempting to house two males or incompatible individuals in the same tank often leads to severe territorial disputes. A harmonious pair will usually share a single burrow and collaborate with the same pistol shrimp.
- Frequência de alimentação
- Twice daily
- To support their metabolic needs, the Amblyeleotris gymnocephala should be offered small meals one to two times daily. Frequent, appropriately sized feedings are far more beneficial than infrequent large meals. Target feeding near the entrance of their burrow often yields the best results and ensures they outcompete faster tank mates.
- Carga biológica
- Medium
- The Amblyeleotris gymnocephala has a minimal bioload, making it an excellent candidate for reef aquariums of various sizes. Because of its small physical stature and efficient metabolism, it contributes very little waste to the water column. This characteristic helps aquarists maintain pristine water parameters without putting undue stress on biological filtration systems.
- Fluxo
- Strong
- The Amblyeleotris gymnocephala strongly prefers areas of the tank with low to moderate water flow. Gentle currents allow them to hover comfortably above the substrate without expending excessive energy. Furthermore, calmer water facilitates clear tactile communication with their symbiotic shrimp partner.
- Risco de salto
- Yes
- Like most members of its genus, the Amblyeleotris gymnocephala presents a significant risk of jumping out of an open aquarium. Startling events, such as abrupt lighting changes or aggressive encounters, can trigger a panic response. A tight-fitting lid or a specialized mesh screen is a mandatory requirement to prevent loss of life.
- Reprodução
- Not bred in captivity
- The Amblyeleotris gymnocephala is a demersal spawner, carefully depositing its eggs within the protected confines of its substrate burrow. After fertilization, the male typically assumes the role of guarding the clutch until the fry hatch. While captive breeding is quite rare in home aquaria, it can sometimes be achieved in dedicated breeding setups with pristine conditions.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- Community
- This goby exhibits a highly peaceful demeanor and thrives in community setups alongside other tranquil fish. The Amblyeleotris gymnocephala is particularly prized for its ability to form a fascinating mutualistic bond with alpheid pistol shrimp. It is imperative to avoid housing them with large, boisterous, or predatory tank mates that could intimidate or consume them.
- Nível do tanque
- Bottom
- As a dedicated benthic species, the Amblyeleotris gymnocephala spends the vast majority of its life resting directly on or hovering slightly above the substrate. They establish their territory around a primary burrow entrance and rarely venture into the middle or upper water column. Providing a deep bed of fine or mixed-grade sand is crucial to support their natural behaviors.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase v25.04Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 3,4 ± 0,4 se
- Resiliência
- Alta (menos de 15 meses)
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.00741, b = 3.09
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade baixa (10 / 100)
























































