All fish / Gobiidae

Dracula Shrimp Goby

Stonogobiops dracula

Also known as dracula goby, dracula watchman goby, black-banded shrimp goby, dracula shrimpgoby, vampire goby, ドラキュラシュリンプゴビー, 德古拉虾虎

A slim white goby with broad black to reddish-black diagonal bands and a tall first dorsal fin. Keepers like it for its striking look and for the way it shares a burrow with an Alpheus pistol shrimp, standing guard at the entrance.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

75 litres

Keep as

Single or a mated pair, ideally with a pistol shrimp

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, brine shrimp, copepods and small frozen or pellet foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Indian Ocean: Seychelles, Maldives and Mauritius

Breeding

Pairs lay eggs inside the shared burrow and the male guards them until they hatch. Larvae are tiny and planktonic, so captive rearing is rare and difficult.

Good to know

Shy and easily bullied, so avoid boisterous tankmates and provide a deep sand bed; it can jump, so use a tight lid. Usually more expensive than the similar Stonogobiops nematodes and S. yasha.