Common name: Sphynx goby

General information

The Banded Goby, also known as the Sphinx Goby or Sphinx Blenny, is a small, peaceful fish that is well-suited for reef aquariums. Its scientific name is Amblygobius sphynx, and it is appreciated for its distinctive pattern of vertical bands and its sand-sifting behavior. This species is a bottom-dweller that spends much of its time perched on or burrowing into the substrate.

Care

Banded Gobies are relatively easy to care for, provided they are housed in an aquarium with a sandy bottom that allows them to exhibit their natural digging behavior. They are not aggressive and can be kept with a variety of other peaceful fish and invertebrates. A varied diet of meaty foods and marine pellets or flakes will help maintain their health and coloration.

Reproduction

In the aquarium, Banded Gobies may spawn if they are kept in a well-established system with a mate. They lay their eggs in burrows or on the substrate, and the male typically guards the eggs until they hatch. However, raising the fry can be challenging due to their small size and specific feeding requirements.

Habitat

The Banded Goby is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. It inhabits shallow lagoons and reef flats, often associating with rubble and coral outcrops. In the wild, they are commonly found at depths ranging from just below the surface to about 30 meters.