Yasha Goby (Stonogobiops yasha) Care Guide

A strikingly beautiful shrimp goby with a white body adorned with red-orange horizontal bars and an elongated first dorsal spine.

Overview

Stonogobiops yasha is a species in the family Gobiidae. A strikingly beautiful shrimp goby with a white body adorned with red-orange horizontal bars and an elongated first dorsal spine. Forms a fascinating symbiotic relationship with Alpheus randalli pistol shrimp — the shrimp maintains a shared burrow while the goby acts as a lookout. One of the most sought-after nano reef gobies.

Taxonomy

Family: Gobiidae
Genus: Stonogobiops
Scientific name: Stonogobiops yasha
Other names: White-Rayed Shrimp Goby, Yasha Haze Goby
Origin: Western Pacific, Japan

Habitat

Native to the western Pacific from southern Japan south to Indonesia and east to Fiji. Lives in obligate symbiosis with the alpheid pistol shrimp Alpheus randalli on sandy slopes at the base of coral reefs at depths of 5-40 m. First described in 2001.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 40 L
Temperature: 24-27 °C
pH: 8.1-8.4
GH: 8-12 °dGH
Water flow: low
Adult size: 3-5 cm
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Difficulty: intermediate

Diet

Classified as carnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.

Compatibility

Temperament: peaceful
Swimming level: bottom
Compatible tank mates: Pistol Shrimp, Small Peaceful Fish, Firefish Goby, Small Wrasses
Avoid with: Aggressive Fish, Large Predators, Other Shrimp Gobies

Reef compatibility

Generally classified as reef-safe: does not feed on stony or soft corals, tridacnid clams or ornamental shrimps under normal conditions.

Breeding

Breeding strategy: cave-spawner
Breeding difficulty: advanced