Spotted Shrimp Goby Care Guide
Amblyeleotris guttata is a Western Pacific prawn goby with orange-spotted whitish body that shares a sand burrow with alpheid shrimp.
Overview
Amblyeleotris guttata, the Spotted Shrimp Goby, is a marine goby of the Western Pacific. FishBase describes a whitish or pale grey body bearing four to five faint dark bars and numerous bright orange spots over the head and body. Like other members of its genus it forms a symbiotic burrow partnership with alpheid (snapping) shrimp. It was described by Fowler in 1938.
Taxonomy
- Family: Gobiidae
- Genus: Amblyeleotris
- Scientific name: Amblyeleotris guttata
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the Philippines to Tonga, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to Australia. It occurs on patches and expanses of coarse carbonate sand on outer lagoon and seaward reefs, typically at depths of 10 to 40 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness: 8-12 dKH
- Substrate: deep sand bed for burrowing
- Lifespan: 4-8 years
Diet
A carnivore that feeds on small invertebrates near its burrow in the wild. In captivity it takes meaty foods such as mysis and enriched brine shrimp, fed twice daily.
Compatibility
A peaceful, bottom-oriented fish that stays close to its burrow entrance. It pairs with pistol shrimp and tolerates calm companions including clownfish, cardinalfish and tangs, while aggressive predators and lionfish should be avoided.
Reef compatibility
Reef-safe. It does not harm corals or sessile invertebrates and helps keep the sand bed turned over; provide a sand area with rubble so it can excavate a shared burrow.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 26 August 2020).