Flagtail Shrimp Goby Care Guide
Amblyeleotris yanoi is a Western Pacific prawn goby with a patterned yellow caudal fin that partners with the red-banded shrimp Alpheus randalli.
Overview
Amblyeleotris yanoi, the Flagtail Shrimp Goby, is a marine prawn goby of the Western Pacific. According to FishBase it has a whitish body with five diffuse light orange-brown bars and brown dorsal saddles, while the yellow caudal fin carries a reddish-orange central area and oblique blue bands. It associates with the red-banded alpheid shrimp Alpheus randalli.
Taxonomy
- Family: Gobiidae
- Genus: Amblyeleotris
- Scientific name: Amblyeleotris yanoi
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the Ryukyu Islands to Papua New Guinea. It lives on coastal sand flats, slopes and in deep lagoons at depths of 3 to 35 m, sharing a burrow with its shrimp partner.
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. In the aquarium it accepts meaty marine foods such as mysis and enriched brine shrimp, fed twice daily.
Compatibility
A peaceful bottom-dwelling species that stays near its burrow. It pairs with pistol shrimp and suits calm tankmates such as clownfish, cardinalfish and tangs; aggressive predators and lionfish should be avoided.
Reef compatibility
Reef-safe. It does not harm corals and tends the sand bed; provide a deep sand area so it can dig the burrow it shares with a shrimp.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 27 August 2020).