Common name: greenband goby
General information
Randall's Goby, scientifically known as Valenciennea randalli, is a small, peaceful fish that is well-suited for reef aquariums. It is named after the ichthyologist John E. Randall. This species is known for its distinctive orange and white stripes that run the length of its body, and its behavior of sifting through the sand bed, which can help keep the substrate clean and aerated.
Details
- Recommended minimum volume
- 75 liter (20 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 14 cm (6″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Sifts sand for food; needs a deep bed
- Diet
- Detritivore Feeds on detritus and microfauna in sand
- Social
- Pair Pairs are harmonious; may fight others
- Reefsafe
- Yes
- Aggression
- Peaceful Non-aggressive towards other species
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyGobyGobiidae
- GenusSleeper GobiesValenciennea
- Speciesgreenband gobyValenciennea randalli Hoese & Larson, 1994
Care
Valenciennea randalli is a hardy species that adapts well to aquarium life. They require a tank with a sandy bottom to indulge in their natural sifting behavior. It is important to provide a diet that includes a variety of foods such as frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and high-quality marine pellets. They are generally peaceful and can be kept with other non-aggressive tank mates.
Reproduction
In the aquarium, breeding Randall's Goby can be a challenging endeavor. They are not commonly bred in captivity, and little is known about their breeding habits in the home aquarium. However, they are known to form monogamous pairs in the wild.
Symbiosis
Randall's Goby is known for its symbiotic relationship with pistol shrimps of the genus Alpheus. In this mutualistic relationship, the shrimp maintains a burrow in the sand where both the goby and shrimp reside. The goby acts as a lookout for predators while the shrimp works on the burrow. This fascinating behavior can be observed in home aquariums if both species are kept together.
Habitat
Valenciennea randalli is found in the Western Pacific, from the Great Barrier Reef to Micronesia, and north to the Ryukyu Islands. They inhabit sandy areas and rubble slopes of lagoons and seaward reefs, often at depths of 1 to 70 meters.