Orange Banded Prawn Goby (Amblyeleotris randalli)
The Orange Banded Prawn Goby is a beautiful and fascinating reef-safe fish best known for its remarkable symbiotic relationship with pistol shrimp. Featuring a bright white body adorned with vivid orange bands and a graceful, elongated dorsal fin, this peaceful goby brings both color and captivating behavior to reef aquariums. Watching it share a burrow with a pistol shrimp is one of the most rewarding natural interactions in the marine aquarium hobby.
Native to the sandy reef flats and lagoons of the Indo-Pacific, the Orange Banded Prawn Goby spends much of its time perched near the entrance of its burrow, acting as a lookout while its shrimp partner excavates and maintains their shared home. The nearly blind pistol shrimp keeps one antenna in contact with the goby, relying on the goby's excellent eyesight to warn of approaching danger. This extraordinary partnership is a fascinating example of mutualism and is a favorite among reef keepers.
Orange Banded Prawn Gobies thrive in mature reef aquariums with a sandy substrate, plenty of live rock, and secure hiding places. They are completely reef safe and coexist peacefully with corals, invertebrates, and other non-aggressive fish. They readily accept frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and high-quality marine pellets.
A tight-fitting lid is recommended, as these gobies are capable jumpers, especially during acclimation or if startled.
Scientific Name: Amblyeleotris randalli
Common Name: Orange Banded Prawn Goby / Randall's Prawn Goby
Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Reef Safe: Yes
Adult Size: Up to 4 Inches
Minimum Tank Size: 20 Gallons
Origin: Indo-Pacific
If you're looking for a reef-safe fish with incredible personality and one of nature's most fascinating partnerships, the Orange Banded Prawn Goby is an outstanding choice. Its brilliant orange markings, peaceful temperament, and unique relationship with pistol shrimp make it a captivating addition to reef aquariums of all sizes.
