Pink-Speckled Shrimpgoby
Description: A type of watchman goby with pink spots distributed throughout its body and fins. A blue-green reflective ring surrounds each pink spot. The body also bears pink vertical bars. Watchman gobies are generally characterized by having eyes that are located at the top of their heads, an adaptation that is suited for sight. Watchman gobies also symbiotically share burrows with snapping shrimp.

Natural Ecology: Watchman gobies are naturally found in association snapping (or pistol) shrimp of the genus Alpheus. The gobies spend most of their time “on watch” for predators and depend on the shrimp to excavate an maintain the burrow. The snapping shrimp maintains contact with the goby with one or both of its antennae because the goby will flick its tail rapidly to signal for any necessary retreat.

Indigenous To: Natural range extends from Malaysia and Indonesia eastwards to New Caledonia, and northwards to Ryukyu Islands.

Behavior: Most commonly seen sitting at the entrance of its burrow, often venturing away from the entrance at feeding time. Prefers a sandy bottom. When keeping several individuals in the same aquarium, the group usually breaks into isolated pairs, with each pair sharing the same burrow.

Compatability: Ideal scavenger in reef aquariums.

Food: Proaquatix specimens have been weaned to take aquarium pellets and flakes. Freshly frozen invertebrates such as ocean plankton, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and chopped squid will be readily accepted.