Yellowlined Shrimp Goby (Vanderhorstia flavillneata)

Max Size: 1.5 inches
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible:
Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons

The Yellow Lined Shrimp Goby is a rare and exquisite fish, making it an excellent choice for small aquarium setups. Its body displays delicate shades ranging from robin's egg blue to pure white, adorned with bright daffodil yellow freckles that form stripes along its body. Both males and females look visually identical, and they grow to a size of up to 1.5 inches, making a 5-gallon or larger aquarium suitable for them. Due to their small size and shy nature, it is recommended to avoid keeping them with boisterous species or other sand-dwelling fish that might take over their burrows.

Shrimp gobies, also known as prawn gobies or watchman gobies, can thrive on their own in an aquarium, but they form a particularly fascinating partnership when paired with a pistol shrimp. The goby and shrimp develop a strong bond where they mutually benefit each other. The diligent shrimp excavates a burrow under the sand, consisting of multiple tunnels, entrances, and exits. The watchful goby stands guard at one entrance, keeping an eye out for potential threats. The goby signals the shrimp with a tail flick if it spots danger, prompting the shrimp to retreat quickly. The goby may follow suit if the danger is severe. During the night or when a tunnel is not in use, the shrimp blocks it off with shells and small rocks. To facilitate this behavior, it is important to provide deep sand of at least three inches and plenty of shells and crushed coral of various sizes for the shrimp to build a stable dwelling. Placing rocks on the aquarium glass and pouring sand around them prevents cave-ins when the shrimp excavates.

Adding a shrimp and its goby partner to the aquarium simultaneously is recommended, preferably by placing them in a net together and gently lowering them to the aquarium bottom. The three common types of pistol shrimp that pair with gobies are the Tiger, Fine Striped, and Candy Cane pistol shrimp.

Shrimp gobies can be territorial with each other unless they form a pair. If multiple gobies are to be kept in the same aquarium, it is essential to provide enough space to accommodate at least 24 inches between their burrows. They generally display peaceful behavior with other fish.

A securely covered tank is necessary as sand-dwelling gobies may have a tendency to jump out of open-top aquariums.

Primarily carnivorous, shrimp gobies' diet should consist of high-quality meaty items, marine algae, Spirulina, and frozen Mysis shrimp. Feeding them multiple times a day and allowing some food to settle on the aquarium bottom is preferable. Although frozen food is best, they can usually adapt to eating dry foods over time.

Gobies, being one of the largest families of fish, offer numerous varieties that inhabit various niches on the reef. They are generally safe for coral and tend to be active and friendly with other fish. Some gobies have the ability to change sex to form pairs, although it is not a universal trait. Most gobies are imported from the Philippines.