Japanese Serpentine Goby

Identification	An elongated, serpentine-bodied goby with an iridescent blue-green sheen over a pale body. Males display vivid markings along the dorsal fin and cheeks. Their sinuous shape and graceful movement through rock crevices sets them apart from other gobies.
Scientific Name	Amblyeleotris japonica
Maximum Length	5 inches
Origin	Japan, Western Pacific
Minimum Tank Size	30 Gallons
Reef Compatibility	✔ Reef Safe

Behavior

The Japanese Serpentine Goby is a burrowing species that forms a symbiotic pair bond with pistol shrimp in the wild. The shrimp excavates and maintains a burrow while the goby stands guard at the entrance, alerting the nearly blind shrimp to danger with a flick of its tail. In the aquarium this behavior is fascinating to observe. It is a relatively shy and peaceful fish that will spend much of its time hovering near the substrate or retreating into rockwork.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous. Feed meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped marine flesh, and high-quality frozen preparations. Best fed twice daily. It may be shy at first and benefit from target feeding near its burrow entrance until it is comfortable in its new environment.

Cautions

A tight-fitting lid is essential — like most gobies, this fish is an escape artist and will jump. Provide a sandy substrate of at least 3 inches for burrowing. Keep only one per tank unless a bonded pair. Avoid housing with aggressive or large predatory fish.