Common name: Pink-lined goby

General information

The Orange-Lined Goby, scientifically known as Amblygobius decussatus, is a small, colorful fish that adds both beauty and personality to a saltwater aquarium. They are known for their distinctive orange stripes that run the length of their bodies, contrasting with a pale to white base color. These gobies are relatively peaceful and can be a good choice for a community tank.

Care

Orange-Lined Gobies are bottom dwellers that prefer tanks with plenty of live sand and rock to sift through and hide in. They are sand sifters, which means they play a beneficial role in the aquarium by turning over the substrate and helping to keep it clean from detritus and uneaten food. They are not demanding when it comes to diet and will accept a variety of foods including frozen, live, and flake foods.

Reproduction

In the wild, Orange-Lined Gobies are known to form monogamous pairs during the breeding season. They lay their eggs in burrows or protected areas within the substrate. In the aquarium, breeding is possible but not common. If conditions are right, they may spawn in captivity, with both parents showing care for the eggs.

Symbiosis

One of the most interesting aspects of the Orange-Lined Goby is its symbiotic relationship with certain species of pistol shrimp, such as those in the genus Alpheus. This partnership is known as a goby-shrimp symbiosis. The shrimp maintains a burrow in the sand where both the shrimp and the goby live. The goby acts as a lookout for predators while the shrimp works on the burrow. The shrimp keeps in constant contact with the goby using its antennae, and the goby will flick its tail to warn the shrimp of danger.

Habitat

Amblygobius decussatus is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. They inhabit shallow lagoons and reef flats, often found in areas with sandy substrates mixed with coral rubble. They are typically seen at depths ranging from 1 to 30 meters.