Barred Shrimpgoby

About

The barred shrimpgoby (Amblyeleotris wheeleri) is one of the most recognizable members of its genus, and probably the shrimpgoby newcomers to the saltwater hobby are most likely to encounter. Its range stretches across the broad Indo-Pacific, from the coasts of East Africa out to Fiji, and from southern Japan down to the Great Barrier Reef. In the wild it favors rubble zones on coral reef margins, sandy coastal slopes, and deep lagoon floors, often found as shallow as a few feet or as deep as 130 feet. What makes this fish genuinely interesting is its partnership with alpheid snapping shrimp, most commonly Alpheus ochrostriatus. The shrimp does the excavation work, maintaining a shared burrow, while the goby stands watch at the entrance. Ready to signal danger with a flick of its tail. It is a peaceful fish that coexists well with most reef tankmates and is generally considered a solid choice for newer marine keepers. Provide a sandy substrate and some rubble or rock rubble, and ideally pair it with a compatible pistol shrimp to see the full range of natural behaviors this species has to offer. The bond between goby and shrimp is genuinely one of the more rewarding things you can observe in a home reef tank.