Wheeler's Shrimp Goby Care Guide
Amblyeleotris wheeleri is a widespread Indo-Pacific prawn goby that lives commensally with alpheid shrimp in reef rubble.
Overview
Amblyeleotris wheeleri, Wheeler's Shrimp Goby, is a marine prawn goby found widely across the Indo-Pacific. FishBase notes it is apparently the most common shallow-water species of its genus in coral reef areas. It lives as a commensal with alpheid shrimp, most often Alpheus ochrostriatus, and was described by Polunin and Lubbock in 1977.
Taxonomy
- Family: Gobiidae
- Genus: Amblyeleotris
- Scientific name: Amblyeleotris wheeleri
Habitat
FishBase records the species from East Africa to Fiji, north to southern Japan and south to the Great Barrier Reef. It occupies rubble areas near or within coral reefs, coastal sand slopes and deep lagoons, occurring at depths of 5 to 40 m but usually 5 to 15 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: sand and rubble for burrowing
- Lifespan: 4-8 years
Diet
A carnivore. In the aquarium it accepts meaty marine foods such as mysis and enriched brine shrimp, fed twice daily near its burrow.
Compatibility
A peaceful bottom-dweller that remains close to its burrow. It pairs with pistol shrimp and suits calm companions such as clownfish, cardinalfish and tangs; aggressive predators and lionfish should be avoided.
Reef compatibility
Reef-safe. It leaves corals undisturbed and helps oxygenate the sand bed; provide rubble over sand so it and a shrimp can excavate a burrow.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 11 March 2015).