Spottail Shrimp Goby
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
A large, peaceful shrimp goby that should be bought with its commensal shrimp partner. Scott W. Michael
Overview
This is a beautifully marked member of the shrimp goby clan and one that is easy to keep. If possible, try to acquire it with an appropriate snapping shrimp so you can watch the pair in action.
Family: Gobiidae
Other common name(s):
- Metallic Shrimp Goby
Native range:
Habitat: Reef-sand interface. Provide some burrows or holes near the aquarium bottom where this fish can hide if you do not keep it with its partner shrimp.
Maximum length: 16 cm (6 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 114 L (30 gal)
Water: Marine 24 °C (75 °F) - 28 °C (82 °F)
General swimming level: Bottom.
Feeding
Carnivore. Feed meaty fresh and frozen foods—which will be eaten by both fish and shrimp—at least once a day.
Aquarium Compatibility
It is not typically hostile toward any tank residents, although it may challenge and duel with other shrimp gobies, especially if hiding places are limited in number. It is a larger species, so it is more likely to dominate smaller, related species (like the Redbanded Shrimp Goby, A. fasciata). Keep one per tank, unless you can acquire a known heterosexual pair (it is difficult to sex these fish with the naked eye). If your tank is large (100 gallons or more) it may be possible to keep two individuals of unknown sex together. It will not harm invertebrates.
Breeding/Propagation
Demersal (on or near the bottom) spawners that tend and protect their broods.
Notes
Keeping this fish with its crustacean partner can provide many hours of viewing entertainment. The goby will stand guard at the burrow entrance as the shrimp pushes sand out of the burrow. It may jump out of an open tank when startled.