Yasha Goby

The yasha goby is recognized by the three distinct orange-red stripes running along its white body, a black spot on its chin and its very tall, pointed first dorsal fin. While the other species of its genus (e.g. the hi-fin goby, which has its own page on the site) have diagonal bands, this species' stripes run lengthwise. It reaches about 5 cm. In the wild it lives on the sandy bottoms of open reef slopes at depths of 15–40 meters, sharing a burrow with the red-and-white banded pistol shrimp Alpheus randalli; pairs hover at the mouth of the burrow.

• At least 50 liters for a pair and their shrimp.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C.
• Reef-safe: it leaves corals and invertebrates alone.
• At least 5 cm of fine sand and small rubble; set the rocks on the glass.
• When frightened it may dart out of its burrow and jump; a lid is essential.

Carnivorous. Offer small frozen foods (copepods, mysis, brine shrimp) and fine sinking granules. Make sure the food reaches the area near the burrow; feed small amounts twice a day.

Peaceful and skittish. With its shrimp it becomes bolder and stays visible all day. It guards its burrow against unfamiliar individuals of its own kind and other shrimp gobies.

Good companions: Clownfish, cardinalfish, firefish, neon goby, calm blennies, ornamental shrimp.

Avoid: Hawkfish, dottybacks, large wrasses and predators whose mouths it fits into; fish that might prey on the pistol shrimp.