Common name: candystick goby

Care

Delagoa Shrimpgobies are relatively hardy and can adapt to life in captivity if provided with the right conditions. They thrive in tanks with a sandy substrate, which they use for burrowing and hiding. These gobies prefer a well-established aquarium with plenty of live rock for shelter and territories. They are peaceful fish that do well in a community tank, but can be territorial towards their own kind. A varied diet of meaty foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and finely chopped seafood will help maintain their health and coloration.

Reproduction

In the wild, Delagoa Shrimpgobies form monogamous pairs and engage in elaborate courtship behaviors. They lay their eggs in burrows, which are then guarded by the male until they hatch. While breeding them in captivity can be challenging, it is possible with a stable, mature aquarium and attention to their specific breeding behaviors.

Symbiosis

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Delagoa Shrimpgoby is its symbiotic relationship with pistol shrimps of the genus Alpheus. These gobies share burrows with the shrimps, maintaining a lookout for predators while the shrimp maintains the structure of the burrow. This mutualistic relationship provides the shrimp with a guard, and the goby with a safe home.

Habitat

Vanderhorstia delagoae is native to the Western Indian Ocean, particularly around Mozambique. They are typically found in shallow, sandy areas near reefs, where they inhabit burrows and are often seen peeking out or hovering just above the substrate.