Dracula Goby (Stonogobiops Dracula)

Care Level : Moderate

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : 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 : 3"

Origin : Seychelles, Maldives, Sri Lanka

Family : Gobiidae

Minimum Tank Size : 10 gallons

Dracula Goby (Stonogobiops Dracula), the Dracula Shrimpgoby, is a species of goby native to reef environments around the Seychelles and the Maldives.

The Dracula Goby is prized for its unusual and beautiful, stark coloration. Its snow white body is adorned with alternating thick rusty red and thin bright ruby stripes. Its head is a delicate daffodil yellow, and it has a rounded first dorsal fin. Males and females are visually identical. It reaches a maximum size of 3 inches. 

A 10 gallon or larger aquarium is recommended. It is important to provide deep sand of at least three inches and plenty of shells and crushed coral of various sizes so the shrimp has enough building material to create a stable dwelling. Rocks should be placed on the aquarium glass and sand poured around them to eliminate the danger of a cave-in when the shrimp excavates. Gobies are considered jumpers make sure your aquarium has a tight-fitting canopy or screen cover to prevent the Gobie from jumping out of your aquarium.

It forms a symbiotic relationship with burrowing pistol shrimp, which coexist in both the wild and in captivity. Introducing the goby and shrimp into the aquarium at the same time yield best chances at creating a bonded pair. 

While the Dracula Goby is a peaceful fish, it may be territorial towards smaller or aggressive fish that get too close to its burrow. This goby is fairly hardy and are reef safe as long as they have peaceful tank mates. Though peaceful, the Dracula Goby will sometimes spar with similar species, or more aggressive fish of similar size to defend its territory. When possible, they should be the first bottom dweller added so they can claim their territory. Dracula Goby is completely reef safe.

Feed these carnivores a varied diet of mysis shrimp and other frozen meaty foods, and suitable phytoplankton and flake foods. Most gobies do best when fed multiple small meals throughout the day. 

 Size: 1-1/2" to 2-1/2"