Latin Name: Amblyeleotris aurora
Common Name: Aurora Goby, Pinkbar Goby
Category: Gobies
Difficulty: Beginner
Temperament: Peaceful
Adult Size: 4–4.5 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Reef Safe: Yes
UV Required: No
Protein Skimmer Required: No
Diet: ABN Chromo Pellet, ABN Marine Flake, Mysis Shrimp, Bloodworms
Substrate Requirement: Sand bed recommended
Jump Risk: Moderate to high – secure lid strongly recommended
Compatibility: Peaceful community fish; may form symbiotic pair with pistol shrimp
The Aurora Goby (Amblyeleotris aurora) is a peaceful, elongated reef fish recognized for its striking pink horizontal striping that contrasts beautifully against its pale body. This visually elegant goby is an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced reef aquarists due to its hardy nature and calm temperament.
Aurora Gobies readily accept a wide range of prepared and frozen foods, making them easy to feed and maintain. They thrive best in aquariums with a sandy substrate, which allows them to exhibit natural burrowing and perching behaviors. Like many gobies, they appreciate rockwork with crevices and caves for shelter.
This species is also well known for its potential symbiotic relationship with pistol shrimp, where the goby acts as a lookout while the shrimp maintains a shared burrow. While not required, this pairing adds fascinating natural behavior to a reef display.
Because Aurora Gobies are capable jumpers, a tight-fitting lid is strongly recommended. When housed in a stable, well-covered reef aquarium, this species becomes a peaceful, engaging, and colorful addition to the tank.
The Aurora Goby + Pistol Shrimp Pair is one of the most fascinating and rewarding symbiotic combinations available in the reef aquarium hobby. This natural partnership recreates a behavior commonly observed on Indo-Pacific reefs, where both animals depend on each other for survival.
The Aurora Goby acts as a vigilant lookout, using its excellent eyesight to warn the nearly blind Pistol Shrimp of approaching danger. In return, the shrimp continuously excavates and maintains a shared burrow in the sand bed, providing shelter for both animals. This cooperative behavior offers aquarists a rare opportunity to observe authentic reef interactions in their home aquarium.
Visually, the pairing is just as appealing as it is functional. The Aurora Goby displays elegant pink striping along its elongated body, while the pistol shrimp adds subtle movement and interest as it rearranges sand and rockwork. Together, they bring life, motion, and natural behavior to the lower regions of the tank.
This pair thrives in reef aquariums with a sand substrate, stable rockwork, and peaceful tank mates. The goby readily accepts prepared and frozen foods, while the shrimp scavenges leftover meaty foods from the substrate. A tight-fitting lid is strongly recommended, as gobies may jump when startled.
• Reef keepers interested in natural symbiotic behavior
• Peaceful community reef tanks
• Aquariums with sand beds and stable rockwork
• Beginner to advanced hobbyists
Latin Name: Amblyeleotris aurora
Common Name: Aurora Goby, Pinkbar Goby
Category: Gobies
Difficulty: Beginner
Temperament: Peaceful
Adult Size: 4–4.5 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Reef Safe: Yes
UV Required: No
Protein Skimmer Required: No
Diet: ABN Chromo Pellet, ABN Marine Flake, Mysis Shrimp, Bloodworms
Substrate Requirement: Sand bed recommended
Jump Risk: Moderate to high – secure lid strongly recommended
Compatibility: Peaceful community fish; may form symbiotic pair with pistol shrimp
The Aurora Goby (Amblyeleotris aurora) is a peaceful, elongated reef fish recognized for its striking pink horizontal striping that contrasts beautifully against its pale body. This visually elegant goby is an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced reef aquarists due to its hardy nature and calm temperament.
Aurora Gobies readily accept a wide range of prepared and frozen foods, making them easy to feed and maintain. They thrive best in aquariums with a sandy substrate, which allows them to exhibit natural burrowing and perching behaviors. Like many gobies, they appreciate rockwork with crevices and caves for shelter.
This species is also well known for its potential symbiotic relationship with pistol shrimp, where the goby acts as a lookout while the shrimp maintains a shared burrow. While not required, this pairing adds fascinating natural behavior to a reef display.
Because Aurora Gobies are capable jumpers, a tight-fitting lid is strongly recommended. When housed in a stable, well-covered reef aquarium, this species becomes a peaceful, engaging, and colorful addition to the tank.
The Aurora Goby + Pistol Shrimp Pair is one of the most fascinating and rewarding symbiotic combinations available in the reef aquarium hobby. This natural partnership recreates a behavior commonly observed on Indo-Pacific reefs, where both animals depend on each other for survival.
The Aurora Goby acts as a vigilant lookout, using its excellent eyesight to warn the nearly blind Pistol Shrimp of approaching danger. In return, the shrimp continuously excavates and maintains a shared burrow in the sand bed, providing shelter for both animals. This cooperative behavior offers aquarists a rare opportunity to observe authentic reef interactions in their home aquarium.
Visually, the pairing is just as appealing as it is functional. The Aurora Goby displays elegant pink striping along its elongated body, while the pistol shrimp adds subtle movement and interest as it rearranges sand and rockwork. Together, they bring life, motion, and natural behavior to the lower regions of the tank.
This pair thrives in reef aquariums with a sand substrate, stable rockwork, and peaceful tank mates. The goby readily accepts prepared and frozen foods, while the shrimp scavenges leftover meaty foods from the substrate. A tight-fitting lid is strongly recommended, as gobies may jump when startled.
• Reef keepers interested in natural symbiotic behavior
• Peaceful community reef tanks
• Aquariums with sand beds and stable rockwork
• Beginner to advanced hobbyists
