A greatTangaroa Goby!
Origin: Eastern Asia

Size info:
Size M: approx. 1.25 – 2.25″

There once was a Tangaroa Goby,
Whose colors were oh so lovely,
With stripes of black and yellow,
It’s hard not to feel mellow,
Watching it swim in the reef, so bubbly.

Keeping Tangaroa Goby (Ctenogobiops tangaroai) In An Aquarium

If you are looking for a unique and fascinating fish to add to your aquarium, the Tangaroa Goby might be just what you need. These fish are also known as Tangaroa shrimp gobies, and they are found in the Indo-Pacific region, specifically in the waters around Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia. Ctenogobiops tangaroai can grow up to 3 inches in length and can live up to six years.

Tank Setup

When it comes to creating the perfect environment for your Tangaroa Goby, you should keep the following in mind:

• The ideal aquarium size for a Tangaroa Goby is at least 20 gallons, with plenty of hiding spots and caves.
• Provide plenty of live rock that can grow microorganisms for the shrimp that the Tangaroas eat.
• A sand bed of at least 2 inches is recommended as they like to burrow and sift through the sand for food.
• The water temperature should be around 74-78°F, and the pH should be between 8.1-8.4.

Feeding

Tangaroa Goby are symbiotic fish, which means they have a mutualistic relationship with a pistol shrimp. The goby helps the shrimp dig burrows, while the shrimp provides the goby with food by collecting and offering it bits of leftover fish and algae. In captivity, they will need a steady supply of small live food such as brine shrimp and mysid shrimp. You can also feed them frozen or freshly chopped meaty foods such as shrimp or squid.

Behavior

Tangaroa Gobies are peaceful fish, and they get along well with other fish species in the tank. However, they are territorial, so it is best to keep only one pair per tank. These fish are known for their burrowing behavior and like to hide in caves, under rocks and in crevices. Providing enough hiding spots is essential to their well-being, and you can observe them patrolling the area in front of their burrow with their eyes popping up now and again.

Coolest Stuff About Tangaroa Gobies

• Tangaroa Gobies are symbiotic with pistol shrimp, forming a mutually beneficial relationship.
• They combine their strengths by using the goby’s sharp eyesight and the shrimp’s strong pincers.
• The Tangaroa Goby likes to “play peek-a-boo” by slowly popping its head out of the burrow and quickly retracting as if it were a game
• Tangaroa Gobies have a unique marking on their dorsal fin, which can be used for identification