| The black-ray goby or Stonogobiops nematodes | | | | aggression by opening their mouths really wide and |
| belongs to family Gobiidae. The black-ray is endemic | | | | yawning at their would-be assailant. If that doesn't |
| to the western region of the Indo-pacific. It inhabits | | | | scare the bee-geebies out of their confronter they |
| the sandy ocean floors and rocky outcroppings off | | | | will turn tell and run. The only thing that initiates an |
| the shores of the Philippines and Indonesia in depths | | | | aggressive streak in these little guys is attempting to |
| ranging from 15 to 30 meters. | | | | keep to males together in a smaller aquarium. |
| This species of goby has a slender, elongated, white | | | | Black-rays make the perfect tank mates for more |
| body with black vertical markings. Its head is yellow | | | | fragile species like seahorses and pipefish. |
| and its fins are translucent. This is a smaller marine | | | | These gobies are bottom dwellers. They have the |
| species. It only obtains a length of about two inches | | | | tendency to burrow into sandy substrate to hide |
| when fully grown. | | | | when frightened. You will therefore want to use sand |
| The saltwater aquarium industry also markets this | | | | as your substrate. They should also be provided with |
| species under the following names; black-ray shrimp | | | | other hiding places on the aquarium floor. Avoid |
| goby, black-ray prawn goby, and high-fin prawn goby. | | | | overcrowding your reef tank with bottom dwellers. |
| You will notice that each of these names contains a | | | | You don't want them to have to compete for hiding |
| reference to a crustacean in them. This is because of | | | | places and food. |
| their symbiotic relationship with Randall's shrimp and | | | | Black-ray gobies are primarily carnivorous fish. They |
| pistol (candy-striped) shrimp. These shrimp will share | | | | can be fed vitamin enriched brine shrimp, mysis |
| a burrow with a goby couple to help protect each | | | | shrimp, and frozen meat-based foods prepared for |
| other. It is recommended to add two species rather | | | | marine fish. They can also be fed small amounts of |
| than one to your reef tank. | | | | finely chopped up seafood from your grocer. They |
| A word of caution: Pistol shrimp do not share the | | | | have been known to eat algae on occasion. This may |
| benign nature of their roommates. Pistols will exhibit | | | | be to satisfy a nutritional requirement not found in |
| predatory behavior toward most other smaller | | | | their primary diet. |
| species of shrimp. | | | | Between their beautiful coloration, benign |
| These little guys are docile to the point of being timid. | | | | temperament and their symbiotic relationship with |
| They are considered completely benign and pose | | | | shrimp, these little reef fish are in high demand |
| absolutely no threat to your typical inhabitants of a | | | | among saltwater aquarists. Mated pairs are a rare |
| marine reef aquarium. They are so shy that they will | | | | find. |
| instinctively seek shelter when first introduced to | | | | Black-rays are monogamous by nature. It is best to |
| their new environment. It may take them weeks to | | | | keep a couple. A single goby will not feel at home in |
| work up the nerve to leave their sanctuary and begin | | | | your aquarium. |
| to explore their new surroundings. They display their | | | | |