Yasha White Ray Shrimp Goby Overview
The Yasha White Ray Shrimp Goby (Stonogobiops yasha) is a tiny, striking reef fish that quickly becomes a favorite in nano and larger saltwater aquariums. With its bold white body, red stripes, and tall white dorsal fin, this goby adds color and personality without adding much to your bioload. Best of all, it forms a fascinating symbiotic partnership with pistol shrimp, making it a great choice for hobbyists who love natural behavior and interesting fish–invertebrate pairs.
If you enjoy unique nano fish, you might also like our guide to the Yellow Watchman Goby and other small gobies that thrive in compact reef tanks.
Tank Requirements & Natural Behavior
Yasha gobies stay small (around 2 inches) and are peaceful, which makes them ideal candidates for nano reef setups. However, they still need stable, high-quality water conditions:
- Tank size: 10 gallons minimum; 20+ gallons preferred for pistol shrimp pairs and tank mates.
- Parameters: 1.024–1.026 salinity, 76–79°F, pH 8.1–8.4, low nitrates, and near-zero ammonia and nitrite.
- Flow & lighting: Moderate flow with gentle areas near the sand; lighting can be standard reef lighting.
In the wild, Stonogobiops yasha shares a burrow with Alpheus pistol shrimp. The nearly blind shrimp digs and maintains the burrow while the goby acts as a lookout, warning of danger with quick tail flicks. You can recreate this in your aquarium by pairing a Yasha goby with a compatible pistol shrimp such as Alpheus randalli.
For more on building a stable reef foundation, see our article on live sand and rock for reef tanks.
Care, Feeding & Tank Mates
Feeding the Yasha Goby
Yasha gobies are carnivores that prefer small, meaty foods. They may be shy at first, especially if newly introduced, but usually adapt well to prepared foods:
- Offer frozen mysis shrimp, finely chopped krill, and enriched brine shrimp.
- Supplement with high-quality marine pellets or small granules.
- Feed small portions 1–2 times per day, targeting the goby near its burrow if needed.
Tip: Turn down your return pump or main powerhead briefly during feeding so the goby has time to grab food before it blows away.
Substrate, Rockwork & Pistol Shrimp Pairing
A suitable substrate is critical if you want to see natural goby–shrimp behavior:
- Use a mix of fine sand and small rubble so the shrimp can tunnel and reinforce burrows.
- Provide stable rock structures resting on the tank bottom (not just on sand) to prevent collapses when the shrimp digs.
- Cover the tank—Yasha gobies are excellent jumpers, especially when startled.
When introducing a pistol shrimp/goby pair, add them at the same time and release them near a rock cluster. They’ll usually find each other quickly and establish a burrow within a day or two.
Compatible Tank Mates
Yasha gobies are peaceful and do best with other small, non-aggressive fish and invertebrates:
- Good tank mates: small clownfish, firefish, other peaceful gobies, small fairy and flasher wrasses, and reef-safe inverts.
- Avoid: large, boisterous fish or predatory species that may harass or outcompete the goby.
They can be kept singly or as a bonded pair, but avoid mixing multiple Stonogobiops species in very small tanks to reduce territorial disputes.
Is the Yasha White Ray Shrimp Goby Right for You?
If you’re looking for a small, reef-safe fish with big personality and fascinating behavior, the Yasha White Ray Shrimp Goby is an excellent choice. It works beautifully in nano and larger systems, rewards careful aquascaping, and shines when paired with a compatible pistol shrimp. As long as you provide a secure lid, stable water parameters, and a burrow-friendly substrate, this goby will become a standout resident in your reef.
For more stocking inspiration, check out our guide to the best nano reef fish to complement your Yasha goby and create a peaceful, vibrant community.
Sources
- Allen, G. R., & Munday, P. L. (1995). Description of new Stonogobiops species and notes on shrimp-goby symbiosis.
- Michael, S. W. (2001). Reef Fishes: A Guide to Their Identification, Behavior, and Captive Care.
- Sprung, J. (2005). Invertebrates: A Quick Reference Guide – sections on pistol shrimp and symbiotic gobies.
By
