Randall's Shrimp Goby

Looks how to spot one

Elongated shrimp goby

A slim, cylindrical goby with a white body crossed by fine orange to yellow bands and peppered with tiny white dots. It has big, round eyes, a wide mouth, and a tall front dorsal fin marked with a black and white eyespot that shows when the fin is raised.2

Personality what they are like

Peaceful toward most fish, but it defends its burrow and hiding spots from other bottom dwellers.3

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Hovers or perches at its burrow entrance, keeping watch while its shrimp partner digs, and retreats inside at any sign of danger.13

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Moderate care. Keep a closed lid since it can jump, provide moderate water flow and plenty of rockwork and hiding places so it feels secure.3

Home where they are happiest

A marine aquarium from about 75 litres (20 US gallons) with a deep sand bed for burrowing, rubble and live rock. Suggested water: 22 to 26 C, pH 8.1 to 8.4, specific gravity 1.023 to 1.025. Generally reef safe, though very small ornamental shrimps may be eaten.3

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A carnivore that grabs small crustaceans and fish passing its burrow. In the aquarium feed frozen or live mysis and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp once or twice a day.23

Company who they like around

Shares a burrow with an Alpheus pistol shrimp in the wild and can be paired with one in the aquarium. Keep one goby per burrow area.123

The story where it all began

The species was named for John E. Randall of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, the ichthyologist who first drew the describers' attention to it. It lives fairly deep on western Pacific reefs and reaches the aquarium trade as a showpiece shrimp goby.21

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Least Concern (assessed 26 August 2020)1

Naming

Named in honour of the ichthyologist John E. Randall of the Bishop Museum, Honolulu2