Free reef fish guide

Goby Types & Pistol Shrimp Pairing Guide

The Goby Types & Pistol Shrimp Pairing Guide is a free tool that compares 42 saltwater gobies by tank size, reef safety, sand habit and jump risk, then matches shrimp gobies with the right Alpheus pistol shrimp. It also checks whether a goby will fit your tank, sand bed and current fish before you buy.

42 goby profiles5 Alpheus pairingsWill it fit my tank?

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Showing 42 of 42 gobies

  • Shrimp & watchman gobies

    Yellow watchman goby

    Cryptocentrus cinctus

    Reef safePairs with pistol shrimp
    Min tank
    20 gal (76 L)
    Adult size
    3.5 in (9 cm)
    Temperament
    Semi-aggressive
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Burrows (shares a burrow)
    Jump / lid risk
    High (lid needed)
    Group size
    Single; a mated pair in 40+ gal
    Diet
    Carnivore: frozen mysis, brine and finely chopped seafood, plus pellets once settled. Feed near the burrow.

    Cautions

    • Defends its burrow from other gobies and jawfish.
    • Can eat very small shrimp or fish that fit in its mouth.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

    Pistol shrimp partners: Alpheus bellulus, Alpheus soror, Alpheus ochrostriatus, Alpheus djeddensis

  • Shrimp & watchman gobies

    Pink-spotted watchman goby

    Cryptocentrus leptocephalus

    Reef safe with cautionPairs with pistol shrimp
    Min tank
    40 gal (151 L)
    Adult size
    6 in (15 cm)
    Temperament
    Semi-aggressive
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Burrows (shares a burrow)
    Jump / lid risk
    High (lid needed)
    Group size
    Single
    Diet
    Carnivore: frozen mysis, brine and finely chopped seafood, plus pellets once settled. Feed near the burrow.

    Cautions

    • Grows larger than most watchmen and will eat small shrimp and fish.
    • Pushes other bottom dwellers away from its burrow.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

    Pistol shrimp partners: Alpheus bellulus, Alpheus soror, Alpheus ochrostriatus, Alpheus djeddensis

  • Shrimp & watchman gobies

    Blue-spotted watchman goby

    Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus

    Reef safePairs with pistol shrimp
    Min tank
    30 gal (114 L)
    Adult size
    4.5 in (11 cm)
    Temperament
    Semi-aggressive
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Burrows (shares a burrow)
    Jump / lid risk
    High (lid needed)
    Group size
    Single
    Diet
    Carnivore: frozen mysis, brine and finely chopped seafood, plus pellets once settled. Feed near the burrow.

    Cautions

    • Territorial toward other shrimp gobies.
    • May eat tiny ornamental shrimp.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

    Pistol shrimp partners: Alpheus bellulus, Alpheus soror, Alpheus ochrostriatus, Alpheus djeddensis

  • Shrimp & watchman gobies

    Banded watchman goby

    Cryptocentrus fasciatus

    Reef safePairs with pistol shrimp
    Min tank
    30 gal (114 L)
    Adult size
    4 in (10 cm)
    Temperament
    Semi-aggressive
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Burrows (shares a burrow)
    Jump / lid risk
    High (lid needed)
    Group size
    Single
    Diet
    Carnivore: frozen mysis, brine and finely chopped seafood, plus pellets once settled. Feed near the burrow.

    Cautions

    • Territorial toward other shrimp gobies.
    • Colour varies a lot; buy by scientific name.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

    Pistol shrimp partners: Alpheus bellulus, Alpheus soror, Alpheus ochrostriatus, Alpheus djeddensis

  • Shrimp & watchman gobies

    Yasha goby

    Stonogobiops yasha

    Reef safePairs with pistol shrimp
    Min tank
    10 gal (38 L)
    Adult size
    2 in (5 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Sand habit
    Burrows (shares a burrow)
    Jump / lid risk
    Very high (tight lid needed)
    Group size
    Single or mated pair
    Diet
    Carnivore: frozen mysis, brine and finely chopped seafood, plus pellets once settled. Feed near the burrow.

    Cautions

    • Shy and easily outcompeted for food by bold fish.
    • Pairs best with the small Randall's pistol shrimp.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

    Pistol shrimp partners: Alpheus randalli

  • Shrimp & watchman gobies

    Black-ray shrimp goby

    Stonogobiops nematodes

    Reef safePairs with pistol shrimp
    Min tank
    10 gal (38 L)
    Adult size
    2 in (5 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Burrows (shares a burrow)
    Jump / lid risk
    Very high (tight lid needed)
    Group size
    Single or mated pair
    Diet
    Carnivore: frozen mysis, brine and finely chopped seafood, plus pellets once settled. Feed near the burrow.

    Cautions

    • Hovers above the burrow and bolts into it, so it jumps when startled.
    • Keep away from dottybacks and other bullies.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

    Pistol shrimp partners: Alpheus randalli

  • Shrimp & watchman gobies

    Yellow-snout shrimp goby

    Stonogobiops xanthorhinica

    Reef safePairs with pistol shrimp
    Min tank
    10 gal (38 L)
    Adult size
    2.25 in (6 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Burrows (shares a burrow)
    Jump / lid risk
    Very high (tight lid needed)
    Group size
    Single or mated pair
    Diet
    Carnivore: frozen mysis, brine and finely chopped seafood, plus pellets once settled. Feed near the burrow.

    Cautions

    • Small and timid; add before boisterous fish.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

    Pistol shrimp partners: Alpheus randalli

  • Shrimp & watchman gobies

    Dracula goby

    Stonogobiops dracula

    Reef safePairs with pistol shrimp
    Min tank
    10 gal (38 L)
    Adult size
    2.5 in (6 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Sand habit
    Burrows (shares a burrow)
    Jump / lid risk
    Very high (tight lid needed)
    Group size
    Single or mated pair
    Diet
    Carnivore: frozen mysis, brine and finely chopped seafood, plus pellets once settled. Feed near the burrow.

    Cautions

    • Less often available and pricier than other Stonogobiops.
    • Timid at feeding time; target-feed near the burrow.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

    Pistol shrimp partners: Alpheus randalli

  • Shrimp & watchman gobies

    Randall's goby

    Amblyeleotris randalli

    Reef safePairs with pistol shrimp
    Min tank
    20 gal (76 L)
    Adult size
    3.5 in (9 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Sand habit
    Burrows (shares a burrow)
    Jump / lid risk
    Very high (tight lid needed)
    Group size
    Single or mated pair
    Diet
    Carnivore: frozen mysis, brine and finely chopped seafood, plus pellets once settled. Feed near the burrow.

    Cautions

    • Prone to hiding for weeks without a shrimp partner.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

    Pistol shrimp partners: Alpheus ochrostriatus, Alpheus bellulus, Alpheus djeddensis, Alpheus soror, Alpheus randalli

  • Shrimp & watchman gobies

    Wheeler's goby

    Amblyeleotris wheeleri

    Reef safePairs with pistol shrimp
    Min tank
    20 gal (76 L)
    Adult size
    3 in (8 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Sand habit
    Burrows (shares a burrow)
    Jump / lid risk
    Very high (tight lid needed)
    Group size
    Single or mated pair
    Diet
    Carnivore: frozen mysis, brine and finely chopped seafood, plus pellets once settled. Feed near the burrow.

    Cautions

    • Two males fight; buy a known pair or keep one.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

    Pistol shrimp partners: Alpheus ochrostriatus, Alpheus bellulus, Alpheus djeddensis, Alpheus soror, Alpheus randalli

  • Shrimp & watchman gobies

    Aurora goby

    Amblyeleotris aurora

    Reef safePairs with pistol shrimp
    Min tank
    30 gal (114 L)
    Adult size
    4 in (10 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Sand habit
    Burrows (shares a burrow)
    Jump / lid risk
    Very high (tight lid needed)
    Group size
    Single
    Diet
    Carnivore: frozen mysis, brine and finely chopped seafood, plus pellets once settled. Feed near the burrow.

    Cautions

    • Very shy without a shrimp; may refuse food at first.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

    Pistol shrimp partners: Alpheus ochrostriatus, Alpheus bellulus, Alpheus djeddensis, Alpheus soror, Alpheus randalli

  • Shrimp & watchman gobies

    Steinitz goby

    Amblyeleotris steinitzi

    Reef safePairs with pistol shrimp
    Min tank
    20 gal (76 L)
    Adult size
    3 in (8 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Burrows (shares a burrow)
    Jump / lid risk
    High (lid needed)
    Group size
    Single or mated pair
    Diet
    Carnivore: frozen mysis, brine and finely chopped seafood, plus pellets once settled. Feed near the burrow.

    Cautions

    • Quarrels with other prawn gobies in small tanks.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

    Pistol shrimp partners: Alpheus ochrostriatus, Alpheus bellulus, Alpheus djeddensis, Alpheus soror, Alpheus randalli

  • Shrimp & watchman gobies

    Orange-spotted prawn goby

    Amblyeleotris guttata

    Reef safePairs with pistol shrimp
    Min tank
    30 gal (114 L)
    Adult size
    4 in (10 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Burrows (shares a burrow)
    Jump / lid risk
    High (lid needed)
    Group size
    Single
    Diet
    Carnivore: frozen mysis, brine and finely chopped seafood, plus pellets once settled. Feed near the burrow.

    Cautions

    • Do not confuse with the orange-spotted sleeper (Valenciennea puellaris), which sifts sand.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

    Pistol shrimp partners: Alpheus ochrostriatus, Alpheus bellulus, Alpheus djeddensis, Alpheus soror, Alpheus randalli

  • Shrimp & watchman gobies

    Tangaroa goby

    Ctenogobiops tangaroai

    Reef safePairs with pistol shrimp
    Min tank
    15 gal (57 L)
    Adult size
    2.5 in (6 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Burrows (shares a burrow)
    Jump / lid risk
    High (lid needed)
    Group size
    Single or mated pair
    Diet
    Carnivore: frozen mysis, brine and finely chopped seafood, plus pellets once settled. Feed near the burrow.

    Cautions

    • Small enough to be eaten by hawkfish and larger wrasses.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

    Pistol shrimp partners: Alpheus djeddensis, Alpheus bellulus, Alpheus randalli

  • Shrimp & watchman gobies

    Gold-speckled shrimp goby

    Ctenogobiops pomastictus

    Reef safePairs with pistol shrimp
    Min tank
    15 gal (57 L)
    Adult size
    2.5 in (6 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Burrows (shares a burrow)
    Jump / lid risk
    High (lid needed)
    Group size
    Single or mated pair
    Diet
    Carnivore: frozen mysis, brine and finely chopped seafood, plus pellets once settled. Feed near the burrow.

    Cautions

    • Plain sand colouring; easy to lose sight of in the sand bed.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

    Pistol shrimp partners: Alpheus djeddensis, Alpheus bellulus, Alpheus randalli

  • Sleeper (sand-sifting) gobies

    Diamond watchman goby

    Valenciennea puellaris

    Reef safe with caution
    Min tank
    55 gal (208 L)
    Adult size
    6 in (15 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Sand habit
    Heavy sand sifter
    Jump / lid risk
    Very high (tight lid needed)
    Group size
    Single or mated pair; never two unpaired
    Diet
    Sifts sand for worms and pods; supplement with frozen mysis, brine and sinking pellets 2–3 times a day.

    Cautions

    • Drops sand on corals placed low on the rockwork.
    • Often starves in tanks younger than 6 months or under 40 gal of sand.
    • Strips sand-bed worms and pods.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

  • Sleeper (sand-sifting) gobies

    Golden-head sleeper goby

    Valenciennea strigata

    Reef safe with caution
    Min tank
    55 gal (208 L)
    Adult size
    6 in (15 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Sand habit
    Heavy sand sifter
    Jump / lid risk
    Very high (tight lid needed)
    Group size
    Single or mated pair; never two unpaired
    Diet
    Sifts sand for worms and pods; supplement with frozen mysis, brine and sinking pellets 2–3 times a day.

    Cautions

    • Notorious jumper, especially in its first weeks.
    • Buries low corals and frags on the sand.
    • Needs a large, mature sand bed or it slowly starves.

  • Sleeper (sand-sifting) gobies

    Six-spot sleeper goby

    Valenciennea sexguttata

    Reef safe with caution
    Min tank
    40 gal (151 L)
    Adult size
    5 in (13 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Sand habit
    Heavy sand sifter
    Jump / lid risk
    Very high (tight lid needed)
    Group size
    Single or mated pair
    Diet
    Sifts sand for worms and pods; supplement with frozen mysis, brine and sinking pellets 2–3 times a day.

    Cautions

    • Sand on low corals; keep frags off the sand bed.
    • Depletes sand fauna in smaller tanks.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

  • Sleeper (sand-sifting) gobies

    Twostripe sleeper goby

    Valenciennea helsdingenii

    Reef safe with caution
    Min tank
    75 gal (284 L)
    Adult size
    6.5 in (17 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Sand habit
    Heavy sand sifter
    Jump / lid risk
    Very high (tight lid needed)
    Group size
    Single or mated pair
    Diet
    Sifts sand for worms and pods; supplement with frozen mysis, brine and sinking pellets 2–3 times a day.

    Cautions

    • One of the largest sleepers; needs a big sand bed.
    • Moves large amounts of sand onto corals.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

  • Sleeper (sand-sifting) gobies

    Ward's sleeper goby

    Valenciennea wardii

    Reef safe with caution
    Min tank
    55 gal (208 L)
    Adult size
    5 in (13 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Sand habit
    Heavy sand sifter
    Jump / lid risk
    Very high (tight lid needed)
    Group size
    Single or mated pair
    Diet
    Sifts sand for worms and pods; supplement with frozen mysis, brine and sinking pellets 2–3 times a day.

    Cautions

    • Sold as "tiger watchman" but is a sleeper, not a shrimp goby.
    • Builds burrows under rock that can undermine loose rockwork.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

  • Sleeper (sand-sifting) gobies

    Banded goby

    Amblygobius phalaena

    Reef safe
    Min tank
    55 gal (208 L)
    Adult size
    6 in (15 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Heavy sand sifter
    Jump / lid risk
    High (lid needed)
    Group size
    Single or mated pair
    Diet
    Sifts sand and grazes film algae and diatoms; add frozen mysis and pellets.

    Cautions

    • Not a true sleeper but sifts like one; keep corals off the sand.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

  • Firefish & dartfish

    Firefish goby

    Nemateleotris magnifica

    Reef safe
    Min tank
    20 gal (76 L)
    Adult size
    3 in (8 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Does not dig
    Jump / lid risk
    Very high (tight lid needed)
    Group size
    Single, or a bonded pair in 30+ gal
    Diet
    Plankton picker: frozen mysis, brine, copepods and small pellets caught mid-water, 2–3 small feeds a day.

    Cautions

    • Among the most common carpet-surfers in the hobby; needs a tight lid.
    • Two unpaired firefish fight.
    • Hides in rock holes; give it a cave near the sand.

  • Firefish & dartfish

    Purple firefish

    Nemateleotris decora

    Reef safe
    Min tank
    20 gal (76 L)
    Adult size
    3.5 in (9 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Does not dig
    Jump / lid risk
    Very high (tight lid needed)
    Group size
    Single or bonded pair
    Diet
    Plankton picker: frozen mysis, brine, copepods and small pellets caught mid-water, 2–3 small feeds a day.

    Cautions

    • Fights other Nemateleotris unless they are a pair.
    • Shy feeder; avoid boisterous tankmates.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

  • Firefish & dartfish

    Helfrich's firefish

    Nemateleotris helfrichi

    Reef safe
    Min tank
    20 gal (76 L)
    Adult size
    2.5 in (6 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Difficult
    Sand habit
    Does not dig
    Jump / lid risk
    Very high (tight lid needed)
    Group size
    Single
    Diet
    Plankton picker: frozen mysis, brine, copepods and small pellets caught mid-water, 2–3 small feeds a day.

    Cautions

    • Deep-water fish that ships poorly; quarantine and feed several times a day.
    • Very timid; keep only with peaceful fish.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

  • Firefish & dartfish

    Scissortail dartfish

    Ptereleotris evides

    Reef safe
    Min tank
    55 gal (208 L)
    Adult size
    5 in (13 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Does not dig
    Jump / lid risk
    Very high (tight lid needed)
    Group size
    Single, or a group of 3+ in 75+ gal
    Diet
    Plankton picker: frozen mysis, brine, copepods and small pellets caught mid-water, 2–3 small feeds a day.

    Cautions

    • Fast swimmer that needs open water.
    • Jumps readily; tight lid essential.

  • Firefish & dartfish

    Zebra dartfish

    Ptereleotris zebra

    Reef safe
    Min tank
    40 gal (151 L)
    Adult size
    4 in (10 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Sand habit
    Does not dig
    Jump / lid risk
    Very high (tight lid needed)
    Group size
    Group of 3–5 in 55+ gal, or single
    Diet
    Plankton picker: frozen mysis, brine, copepods and small pellets caught mid-water, 2–3 small feeds a day.

    Cautions

    • Does best in a small shoal added together.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

  • Firefish & dartfish

    Blue gudgeon dartfish

    Ptereleotris heteroptera

    Reef safe
    Min tank
    40 gal (151 L)
    Adult size
    4.5 in (11 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Does not dig
    Jump / lid risk
    Very high (tight lid needed)
    Group size
    Single, pair, or a group in 75+ gal
    Diet
    Plankton picker: frozen mysis, brine, copepods and small pellets caught mid-water, 2–3 small feeds a day.

    Cautions

    • Burrows into rubble at night; leave rock gaps near the sand.
    • Jumps when startled; use a mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing.

  • Clown & coral gobies

    Yellow clown goby

    Gobiodon okinawae

    Reef safe with caution
    Min tank
    5 gal (19 L)
    Adult size
    1.5 in (4 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Does not dig
    Jump / lid risk
    Moderate (lid advised)
    Group size
    Single or pair; small groups in 30+ gal
    Diet
    Micro-predator: small frozen foods (cyclops, baby brine, mysis) and fine pellets.

    Cautions

    • May nip Acropora polyps and lays eggs on SPS branches, killing tissue under the clutch.
    • Perches on corals rather than rock.

  • Clown & coral gobies

    Citron clown goby

    Gobiodon citrinus

    Reef safe with caution
    Min tank
    10 gal (38 L)
    Adult size
    2 in (5 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Does not dig
    Jump / lid risk
    Moderate (lid advised)
    Group size
    Single or pair
    Diet
    Micro-predator: small frozen foods (cyclops, baby brine, mysis) and fine pellets.

    Cautions

    • Can damage Acropora and other SPS by nipping and nesting on them.
    • Produces a bitter, toxic skin mucus that deters predators.

  • Clown & coral gobies

    Green clown goby

    Gobiodon histrio

    Reef safe with caution
    Min tank
    5 gal (19 L)
    Adult size
    1.5 in (4 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Sand habit
    Does not dig
    Jump / lid risk
    Moderate (lid advised)
    Group size
    Single or pair
    Diet
    Micro-predator: small frozen foods (cyclops, baby brine, mysis) and fine pellets.

    Cautions

    • Closely tied to Acropora; may pick at or nest on prized colonies.
    • Wild-caught and can be slow to accept frozen food.

  • Clown & coral gobies

    Panda clown goby

    Paragobiodon lacunicolus

    Reef safe with caution
    Min tank
    5 gal (19 L)
    Adult size
    1.5 in (4 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Sand habit
    Does not dig
    Jump / lid risk
    Moderate (lid advised)
    Group size
    Single or pair
    Diet
    Micro-predator: small frozen foods (cyclops, baby brine, mysis) and fine pellets.

    Cautions

    • Shelters in branching corals such as Seriatopora and Stylophora and may stress them.
    • Tiny and easily outcompeted; feed small foods.

  • Neon & cleaner gobies

    Neon goby

    Elacatinus oceanops

    Reef safe
    Min tank
    10 gal (38 L)
    Adult size
    2 in (5 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Does not dig
    Jump / lid risk
    Moderate (lid advised)
    Group size
    Single, pair or small group
    Diet
    Picks parasites off fish in the wild; accepts small frozen foods and fine pellets in captivity.

    Cautions

    • Usually captive-bred, but short-lived (often 1–2 years).
    • Cleaning does not replace quarantine or treat ich.
    • Eaten by hawkfish, lionfish and larger predators.

  • Neon & cleaner gobies

    Yellowline goby

    Elacatinus figaro

    Reef safe
    Min tank
    10 gal (38 L)
    Adult size
    1.5 in (4 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Does not dig
    Jump / lid risk
    Moderate (lid advised)
    Group size
    Single, pair or small group
    Diet
    Picks parasites off fish in the wild; accepts small frozen foods and fine pellets in captivity.

    Cautions

    • Buy captive-bred; wild Brazilian stocks are protected.
    • Small enough to be eaten by predators.

  • Neon & cleaner gobies

    Sharknose goby

    Elacatinus evelynae

    Reef safe
    Min tank
    10 gal (38 L)
    Adult size
    1.75 in (4 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Does not dig
    Jump / lid risk
    Moderate (lid advised)
    Group size
    Single, pair or small group
    Diet
    Picks parasites off fish in the wild; accepts small frozen foods and fine pellets in captivity.

    Cautions

    • Short-lived like other Elacatinus.
    • Keep with peaceful fish only.

  • Neon & cleaner gobies

    Red-headed goby

    Elacatinus puncticulatus

    Reef safe
    Min tank
    10 gal (38 L)
    Adult size
    1.5 in (4 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Does not dig
    Jump / lid risk
    Moderate (lid advised)
    Group size
    Single or pair
    Diet
    Picks parasites off fish in the wild; accepts small frozen foods and fine pellets in captivity.

    Cautions

    • Two males in a small tank may squabble.
    • Easily eaten by larger fish.

  • Neon & cleaner gobies

    Green-banded goby

    Tigrigobius multifasciatus

    Reef safe
    Min tank
    5 gal (19 L)
    Adult size
    1.75 in (4 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Does not dig
    Jump / lid risk
    Moderate (lid advised)
    Group size
    Single or pair
    Diet
    Micro-predator: small frozen foods (cyclops, baby brine, mysis) and fine pellets.

    Cautions

    • Hides among urchin spines and rock; may vanish for days.
    • Great nano fish but easy prey for larger fish.

  • Other gobies

    Signal goby

    Signigobius biocellatus

    Reef safe
    Min tank
    30 gal (114 L)
    Adult size
    3 in (8 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Difficult
    Sand habit
    Heavy sand sifter
    Jump / lid risk
    High (lid needed)
    Group size
    Mated pair (does poorly alone)
    Diet
    Specialist sand sifter for tiny worms and pods; needs a mature, pod-rich tank plus frequent small feeds.

    Cautions

    • Often starves within months in young or small tanks.
    • Competes with mandarins and other pod eaters.
    • Buy as a pair.

  • Other gobies

    Rainford's goby

    Koumansetta rainfordi

    Reef safe
    Min tank
    30 gal (114 L)
    Adult size
    2.5 in (6 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Difficult
    Sand habit
    Light sand sifter
    Jump / lid risk
    High (lid needed)
    Group size
    Single
    Diet
    Grazes film algae, diatoms and pods off rock and sand; supplement with small frozen foods.

    Cautions

    • Often starves in tanks less than a year old.
    • Competes with mandarins and other grazers for pods.

  • Other gobies

    Hector's goby

    Koumansetta hectori

    Reef safe
    Min tank
    20 gal (76 L)
    Adult size
    2.5 in (6 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Sand habit
    Light sand sifter
    Jump / lid risk
    High (lid needed)
    Group size
    Single
    Diet
    Grazes film algae and pods; accepts small frozen foods once settled.

    Cautions

    • Needs a mature tank with natural food growth.
    • Aggressive toward other Koumansetta.

  • Other gobies

    Masked goby

    Coryphopterus personatus

    Reef safe
    Min tank
    10 gal (38 L)
    Adult size
    1.5 in (4 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Sand habit
    Does not dig
    Jump / lid risk
    Moderate (lid advised)
    Group size
    Group of 3–6 (shoaling)
    Diet
    Plankton picker: frozen mysis, brine, copepods and small pellets caught mid-water, 2–3 small feeds a day.

    Cautions

    • Hovers in loose groups near rock overhangs; shy alone.
    • Bite-sized for most predators.

  • Other gobies

    Catalina goby

    Lythrypnus dalli

    Reef safeCold water
    Min tank
    10 gal (38 L)
    Adult size
    2 in (5 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Difficult
    Sand habit
    Does not dig
    Jump / lid risk
    Moderate (lid advised)
    Group size
    Single or small group in a cool tank
    Diet
    Small frozen foods (mysis, brine, copepods).

    Cautions

    • Subtropical to temperate fish: needs about 60–68°F (16–20°C) and a chiller.
    • Lives only months to a few years in a warm tropical reef.

  • Other gobies

    Engineer goby

    Pholidichthys leucotaenia

    Reef safe with caution
    Min tank
    90 gal (341 L)
    Adult size
    12 in (30 cm)
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Sand habit
    Excavates tunnels under rock
    Jump / lid risk
    Moderate (lid advised)
    Group size
    Single or group (often sold as juveniles in groups)
    Diet
    Omnivore: mysis, pellets and chopped seafood. Adults become nocturnal feeders.

    Cautions

    • Not a true goby; grows to about 12 inches or more.
    • Digs tunnels that can collapse rockwork; set rock on the glass, not the sand.
    • Can eat very small fish and shrimp as it grows.

Pistol shrimp pairing tool

Pair a goby with an Alpheus pistol shrimp

Pistol shrimp

Yellow watchman goby + Tiger pistol shrimp (Alpheus bellulus)

Hardy, widely sold, brown-and-white patterned shrimp. A common match for yellow watchman and other Cryptocentrus and Amblyeleotris gobies.

Bonding time
Usually 1–7 days; some pairs take 2–3 weeks.
Sand bed depth
At least 3 in (8 cm)
Grain size
Use a mixed bed: mostly 0.5–2 mm aragonite with some 3–6 mm shell or rubble pieces the shrimp can wedge into the tunnel roof. Sugar-fine sand alone collapses, and coarse crushed coral alone is too heavy to move.

How to add the pair

  1. Quarantine the goby on its own; keep the shrimp in a separate invertebrate tank, because copper and many ich treatments kill shrimp.
  2. Check the sand bed is at least 3 inches deep, with a flat rock or rubble edge sitting on the sand (not under it) for the burrow entrance.
  3. Easiest: buy them as an established pair and add them in the same bag. Otherwise add the shrimp first and let it dig for 3–7 days.
  4. Drip acclimate both slowly; pistol shrimp are more sensitive to salinity swings than the goby.
  5. Release them at dusk or with lights dimmed, close to the rock base where you want the burrow, not in open water.
  6. Target-feed the goby at the burrow mouth for the first two weeks so it does not wander off to compete for food.
  • Bonding is likely, not guaranteed: some fish and shrimp never pair, especially if the goby is stressed or the shrimp is not a goby-associated species.
  • Pistol shrimp snap loudly and move sand and small rubble; glue loose frags and keep rockwork on the glass.

Not goby partners: Anemone pistol shrimp (Alpheus armatus): Lives with curlycue anemones, not gobies. Common snapping shrimp (Alpheus heterochaelis and hitchhiker Alpheus spp.): Usually solitary rock-dwellers that arrive on live rock and do not bond with a goby.

Fit check

Will it fit my tank?

Already in the tank
Setup

Verdict

Good fit

Yellow watchman goby in about 20 gal (76 L)

  • OKNo common conflicts found

    Yellow watchman goby suits a 20 gal tank with your sand and tankmates. Quarantine it and acclimate slowly.

The check uses fixed rules for common conflicts, not a guarantee. Individual fish vary; watch any new goby closely for the first two weeks.

Log your goby, pistol shrimp and water parameters in My Reef Log, and spot trends before they stress your livestock.Start tracking free

How the goby and pistol shrimp partnership works

Alpheus pistol shrimp have poor eyesight but are expert diggers. The goby sits at the burrow entrance while the shrimp bulldozes sand, keeping one antenna on the goby. A flick of the goby's tail sends both into the burrow. In the wild the pair often shares the burrow for life.

Only the 15 shrimp gobies in this guide form that bond. Sleeper gobies like the diamond watchman share the name "watchman" but sift sand instead, and firefish, clown gobies and neon gobies never pair.

Best gobies for a nano reef

For tanks of 10 to 20 gallons, pick a yasha, black-ray or yellow-snout goby with a Randall's pistol shrimp, a neon or green-banded goby, or a clown goby if you do not keep prized Acropora. A yellow watchman needs about 20 gallons.

Avoid sleeper gobies, signal gobies and Rainford's gobies in nanos and young tanks: they rely on a large, mature sand bed for food and often starve.

How to pair a goby with a pistol shrimp

  1. Step 1

    Pick a shrimp goby

    Choose a goby that pairs with pistol shrimp and fits your tank: Stonogobiops for nanos, a yellow watchman or Amblyeleotris for 20 gallons and up.

  2. Step 2

    Match the Alpheus shrimp

    Pick a partner shrimp in proportion to the goby, such as Randall's pistol shrimp for a yasha goby or a tiger pistol shrimp for a yellow watchman.

  3. Step 3

    Prepare the sand bed

    Give them 2–3 inches or more of mixed 0.5–2 mm sand with some rubble, next to a rock that sits on the glass.

  4. Step 4

    Add them together

    Quarantine the goby, keep the shrimp out of copper, drip acclimate both and release them at dusk near the rock base.

  5. Step 5

    Watch them bond

    Target-feed at the burrow mouth. Most pairs share a burrow within a few days; allow up to three weeks.

Animal care and safety notes

  • Sizes, tank minimums and bonding times are typical hobby ranges, not guarantees. Individual fish vary, and wild-caught gobies may need extra care to start eating.
  • Quarantine new fish before they enter the display, and never put pistol shrimp in copper, hyposalinity or other fish treatments.
  • Almost every goby jumps. A mesh lid with no gaps around plumbing is the single best way to keep one alive.
  • Pistol shrimp snap hard enough to startle and can pinch fingers; they also move rubble and small frags, so glue corals down.
  • This guide is educational and does not replace advice from your local fish store, a breeder, or an aquatic veterinarian.

Goby & pistol shrimp FAQ

What goby pairs with a pistol shrimp?

Shrimp gobies such as the yellow watchman (Cryptocentrus cinctus), yasha and other Stonogobiops, and Amblyeleotris and Ctenogobiops prawn gobies pair with Alpheus pistol shrimp. The shrimp digs and maintains the burrow; the goby keeps watch and warns it of danger. Sleepers, firefish and clown gobies do not pair.

How long does it take a goby and pistol shrimp to pair?

Most pairs bond within a few days, and pairs added together often share a burrow within 24 to 72 hours. Some take two to three weeks, and a few never pair. Adding them as an established pair, at dusk, near the rock base speeds it up.

How deep should the sand bed be for a goby and pistol shrimp?

At least 2 inches for a small Stonogobiops pair with a Randall's pistol shrimp, and 3 inches or more for larger watchmen and prawn gobies. Use mixed 0.5–2 mm aragonite with some shell or rubble pieces so the tunnel holds its shape.

Which gobies are reef safe?

Nearly all gobies leave corals and invertebrates alone. The cautions are clown gobies, which can nip and lay eggs on Acropora, sleeper gobies, which drop sand on low corals, and large watchmen or engineer gobies, which can eat small shrimp or undermine rockwork.

Related tools

Reef Fish Compatibility Checker

Check a goby against the rest of your planned stock list.

Stocking Calculator

See how many fish your tank can hold with a goby pair.

Aquarium Substrate Calculator

Work out how much sand you need for a 2–4 inch burrow bed.

Clownfish Types Identifier

Pick a clownfish pair to go with your goby.

Quarantine Tank Planner

Set up a hospital tank for a new goby before it goes in the display.

Fish Acclimation Calculator

Drip acclimate a goby and pistol shrimp at a safe rate.

Already keeping a goby pair? Track your livestock and water tests in My Reef Log.