Orange Banded Prawn Goby – Amblyeleotris steinitzi

The Orange Banded Prawn Goby is a small, bottom-dwelling saltwater fish known for its striking orange bands and symbiotic relationship with pistol shrimp. This species is an excellent choice for peaceful reef aquariums, where it actively sifts through the substrate and pairs with shrimp to create and maintain burrows.

Description:

Common Name: Orange Banded Prawn Goby

Scientific Name: Amblyeleotris steinitzi

Family: Gobiidae

Size: 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm)

Temperament: Peaceful

Difficulty: Easy

Reef Safe: Yes

Native Region:

Orange Banded Prawn Gobies are found in the Indo-Pacific region, inhabiting sandy lagoons and reef slopes, where they form symbiotic relationships with pistol shrimp.

Aquarium Setup:

Tank Size: Minimum of 20 gallons

Temperature: 74-80F (23-27C)

pH: 8.0-8.4

Salinity: 1.023-1.025

Substrate: Fine sand to allow for burrowing behavior.

Additional Tips:

Symbiosis: Best kept with a compatible pistol shrimp, such as Alpheus sp., to observe natural burrowing and cooperative behavior.

Compatibility: Peaceful and suitable for reef tanks; may be territorial toward other gobies but coexists well with other non-aggressive species.

Diet: Carnivorous; feeds on small meaty foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and high-quality marine pellets.

Cover: A secure lid is recommended, as gobies are known to jump when startled.