Randall's Shrimp Goby

Randall's shrimp goby is recognized by the thin orange vertical bands crossing its whitish body and its large, sail-like dorsal fin bearing a black eyespot. In the wild it shares the same burrow with a pistol shrimp (Alpheus) on sand and rubble bottoms: the shrimp digs the burrow and the goby stands guard at the entrance. A pistol shrimp is not essential, but watching the two together is the most fascinating aspect of this species.

• At least 100 liters for a single specimen or a pair.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C.
• Reef-safe; it leaves corals and invertebrates alone.
• A 5–7 cm substrate of mixed sand and rubble; set the rocks directly on the glass.
• A tight-fitting lid is essential; it jumps when startled.

Carnivorous. Offer frozen mysis, brine shrimp, copepods and small sinking granules; make sure the food reaches the area near its burrow.

Peaceful and shy; it does not stray far from its burrow. It is territorial around the burrow towards its own kind and other shrimp gobies; mated pairs live together without problems.

Good companions: Pistol shrimp, clownfish, cardinalfish, firefish, blennies, cleaner shrimp.

Avoid: Aggressive damselfish, dottybacks, hawkfish, large predators; other shrimp gobies in a small aquarium.