Black Ray Goby (Stonogobiops Nematodes)

Care Level : Moderate 

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : Black, Red, White

Diet : Carnivore

Reef Compatible : Yes

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 2»

Origin : Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean

Minimum Tank Size : 10 gallons

The Black Ray Goby (Stonogobiops Nematodes) is also called the black-ray prawn goby, high-fin prawn goby, or black-ray shrimp goby. 

This species of goby has a slender, elongated, white body with black vertical markings. Its head is yellow and its fins are translucent. The black-ray goby is a small, beautiful, marine fish that only attains a maximum size of about 2 inches (5 cm) in length.

This goby is in high demand for home and hobby marine aquaria due to its beautiful colouration, docile nature and interesting interaction with symbiotic shrimp. They can be paired up with most species of Pistol shrimp (Alpheus sp.). The shrimp goby and Pistol shrimp will then construct a little burrow and live in it together.

The recommended minimum tank size is 10 gallons (40 liters), however these fish mostly hide in burrows all day and are not active swimmers. Provide them with plenty of living stones to graze on, as well as shelter. Their aquarium should have a sandy substrate in which they can burrow. They often burrow into sandy substrates when frightened.

This fish is very docile and poses almost no threat to any other stock inhabiting a typical marine aquarium. This passiveness makes it a perfect tankmate for delicate species like sea horses or pipefish. Large or aggressive fish may bully them, they are only little.

Black Ray Gobies are mostly carnivorous fish, but will sometimes eat algae. Feed them mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched brine shrimp, meaty frozen foods for saltwater fish, and finely chopped seafood. The pistol shrimp eats a similar diet.