Amblyeleotris yanoi: technical profile
Introduction 🌊
Amblyeleotris yanoi is one of the most fascinating and rare shrimp gobies of the aquarium trade, known above all to enthusiasts looking for particular species less widespread than the “classics” of the genus. It lives in mutualistic symbiosis with alpheid shrimps, sharing the burrow and exchanging tasks: the goby stays vigilant at the entrance, the shrimp digs and maintains.
This close cooperation, observable daily in the aquarium, makes it a spectacular choice for tanks with well-structured sandy zones. It is a fish that rewards patience: the most interesting behaviours emerge when the environment is safe and stable, without disturbance and with a compatible shrimp companion.
Common name
- Yano’s goby
- Yano’s shrimp goby
- In English: Yano’s prawn goby
Synonyms
It has no valid scientific synonyms. The taxonomy has been stable since the official description, but in the past it has sometimes been confused with other species of the Amblyeleotris group with a banded livery, such as A. wheeleri or A. randalli.
Morphology 🔬
Slender body, compressed laterally, with fused ventral fins forming an adhesive disc for anchoring itself to the substrate. The livery is characterised by brilliant red-orange transverse bands on a pearly white ground, usually 5–6 in number, with sharp margins.
The head is slightly rounded, with large golden-yellow eyes, and often a thin yellow line above the eye. Dorsal fins well developed, the second one longer and softer than the first. Unpaired fins translucent, with bluish reflections under LED lighting.
Differences between males and females
Sexual dimorphism is minimal:
- Males slightly larger, sometimes with a slightly higher dorsal fin.
- Females with a fuller belly in the reproductive period.
In general, the sex can be distinguished only by observing the courtship behaviour.
Way of life
It lives in a pair with an alpheid shrimp (Alpheus spp.), always staying near the entrance of the burrow and maintaining physical contact with the shrimp’s antennae. It alternates moments of stationing with short darts to catch micro-prey. It is very attached to its own territory and in nature it rarely moves more than 15 cm from the burrow.
Territoriality ⚠️
It defends the burrow from other symbiotic gobies or fish that try to enter it. It is peaceful with other species not competing for the same refuge. In large tanks it can coexist with several pairs, provided the burrows are well spaced out.
Life expectancy
In nature it lives 4–6 years, in the aquarium it can reach 7–8 years in optimal conditions.
Maximum size
Maximum recorded length: 8–9 cm. In the aquarium it usually does not exceed 8 cm.
Description
A fish of lively colouring, with red-orange bands that stand out against the white ground. Elegant in appearance and curious but cautious in behaviour, typical of the shrimp gobies. It spends most of its time close to the entrance of the burrow, ready to withdraw at the slightest signal of alarm.
Status on the IUCN red list
Habitat – origin and geographical distribution 🌍
Distributed in the western Indo-Pacific, with records in southern Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. It prefers sandy and detrital bottoms at the margins of coral reefs and lagoons, between 3 and 25 metres of depth.
Temperature in nature
24–28 °C all year round, with minimal seasonal variations.
Environmental parameters: nature vs aquarium
- Nature: salinity 35‰, pH 8.1–8.4, KH 7–9
- Aquarium: salinity 34–35‰, pH 8.0–8.3, KH 7–9, temperature 25–26 °C, nitrates <10 ppm, phosphates low and stable.
Keeping in the aquarium
It requires:
- Fine sandy substrate (1–2 mm), thickness 5–7 cm
- Well-stable rocks
- Presence of a compatible alpheid shrimp (Alpheus randalli, A. bellulus)
- Closed tank to prevent jumps
- Moderate current and diffused light with shaded areas
Minimum dimensions of the aquarium
80 litres for a goby-shrimp pair in a dedicated tank. Better 100–120 litres for mixed reefs with other fish.
Minimum population in the aquarium
A goby-shrimp pair or a single goby with its shrimp. Several pairs only in large tanks with distant burrows.
Compatibility with other species 🤝
Compatible:
- Clownfish (Amphiprion spp.)
- Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)
- Royal gramma (Gramma loreto)
- Dartfish (Nemateleotris spp.)
- Peaceful invertebrates: Lysmata spp., Thor amboinensis, Trochus and Nassarius snails
Not advisable:
- Aggressive Pseudochromis
- Predatory hawkfish
- Active wrasses (Thalassoma)
- Large sand-sifting gobies (Valenciennea spp.)
Feeding in nature and in the aquarium 🍽️
In nature: micro-crustaceans, copepods, zooplankton.
In the aquarium: mysis, enriched artemia, frozen copepods, micro-granules for marine carnivores. Administer 2–3 times a day near the burrow.
Reproductive behaviour
It lays in the burrow. The male defends and ventilates the eggs until hatching (2–4 days).
Protection of the fry
Pelagic larvae not protected after hatching. Rearing in captivity complex.
Risks of hybridisation
Possible in mixed tanks with other Amblyeleotris, but rare.
Hardiness 💪
A hardy species if acclimatised and kept in stable parameters. Sensitive to osmotic swings and high nitrates.
Lighting in the aquarium 💡
Moderate, with shaded zones to encourage it to stay near the burrow.
Current in the aquarium 🌬️
Moderate and diffused, avoiding jets directed at the entrance of the burrow.
Availability in the trade 🛒
Not very common on the market. Available to order in specialist shops. Average price: 40–70 €.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Lively colours and interesting behaviour
- Peaceful and compatible with many species
- Contained size
Cons:
- Need for an alpheid shrimp and a suitable substrate
- A jumper if frightened
- Rare in the trade
Practical BOXES – Technical guide 🧰
| Parameter | Recommended value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 25–26 °C |
| Salinity | 1.024–1.025 |
| pH | 8.0–8.3 |
| KH | 7–9 dKH |
| Minimum litres | 80 (better 100+) |
| Substrate | Sand 1–2 mm, thickness 5–7 cm |
| Compatibility | High (not with similar gobies) |
| Current | Moderate |
| Lighting | Moderate, with shade |
| Diet | Mysis, artemia, copepods, micro-granules |
| Shrimp | Alpheus randalli, A. bellulus |
| Price | 40–70 € |
FAQ – Frequently asked questions 🧠
Is the shrimp needed?
Yes, in order to maintain natural behaviour and wellbeing.
Can it live with other similar gobies?
Better to avoid it in small tanks.
Does it accept dry food?
After acclimatisation, yes, marine micro-granules.
Compatible with clownfish?
Yes, if they are not too territorial.
How long does it live?
Up to 7–8 years.
A jumper?
Yes, a closed tank is needed.
Reproduction possible?
Rare, larvae difficult to rear.
Is coarse sand all right?
Better fine sand to facilitate the burrow.
Compatible with SPS?
Yes.
For beginners?
Suitable for those who already have experience of marine tanks.
Conclusion
Amblyeleotris yanoi is a fascinating, rare and peaceful fish, ideal for tanks with sandy zones and an alpheid shrimp companion. It is not aggressive, it requires little direct maintenance, but a great deal of care in the stability of the environment. For the aquarist who loves observing natural behaviours and complex interactions, it is a precious and rewarding guest.
Share questo articolo:
Testo sottoposto a revisione umana e controllo editoriale prima della pubblicazione. Responsabile editoriale Francesco Avezzano, giornalista iscritto all'Ordine dei Giornalisti della Campania. Come utilizzo l'intelligenza artificiale
