Lagoon Shrimp Goby

The Lagoon Shrimp Goby is an attractive and hardy shrimp goby found in the shallow lagoons and sandy flats of the Western Pacific. It displays a distinctive yellow-green body overlaid with a complex brown pattern of spots, lines, and mottling that provides excellent camouflage against the sandy substrate. Blue streaks may be visible along the head and body, adding subtle elegance to its appearance. This species reaches a moderate size of about 5 inches and is well-suited to aquarium life.

As its name suggests, this goby forms a symbiotic partnership with pistol shrimp, sharing a burrow where both species benefit from the relationship. The goby acts as a lookout while the shrimp maintains the burrow, and both retreat inside when danger approaches. A sandy substrate of at least 2 inches depth is essential to facilitate this natural burrowing behavior, along with small rubble pieces that the shrimp uses to reinforce the burrow entrance.

The Lagoon Shrimp Goby is one of the easier shrimp gobies to maintain in captivity, making it an excellent choice for beginners interested in observing this fascinating symbiotic relationship. It is peaceful, reef-safe, and readily accepts a variety of frozen and prepared foods. A minimum tank size of 20 gallons is sufficient for a single specimen or a goby-shrimp pair. This species adds both visual interest and fascinating behavioral displays to any reef aquarium.