Dragon Goby (Amblygobius Phaleana)

Species Name : Amblygobius Phaleana

Care Level : Moderate

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : Gray, Black, Brown, White, Blue 

Reef Safe : Yes

Diet : Omnivore

Water Conditions : 74-82° F, SG 1.020-1.027, PH 7.9-8.5

Coral Safe : Yes

Invertebrate Safe : Yes

Maximum Size : 6" 

Origin : Indian Ocean

Family : Gobiidae

Minimum Tank Size : 30 gallons

The Dragon Goby (Amblygobius Phalaena) or Sleeper Banded Goby, also known as the Brownbarred Goby and Bullet Goby, was first discovered in the Indo-Pacific.

Like most sand sifting gobies, banded dragon gobies have an elongated body with a rounded head. They are gray in color with vertical bands of black extending down the length of their body. These black bands are outlined in electric blue, which can also be seen in various flecks and dots on their face as well as dorsal and anal fins. Banded dragon gobies can reach a maximum size of over 6 inches.

The Dragon Goby prefers a 30 gallon aquarium with plenty of rocky hiding places. Needs space to hide and swim, likes to burrow so needs a soft substrate. When startled or threatened, they have been known to jump out of uncovered aquariums. Always keep the tank covered and provide plenty of hiding places for this fish to retreat to. 

These fish are very peaceful. They remain at the bottom of an aquarium and will not bother other tank mates or even other sand sifting gobies. Banded dragon gobies are reef safe; however, they may deposit sand on clams or corals placed low in the aquarium. An interesting fact about these fish is their propensity to eat nuisance flatworms. As they grow, they may become territorial, so they should not be kept with others of their kind unless they are a mated pair. 

It is believed that the Banded Goby is a sequential hermaphrodite which means that it can function both as a male and a female however it can't fertilize it's own eggs.

Dragon Gobies are omnivores and require a diet that is rich in both meaty and green foods. Foods like mysis and brine shrimp, spirulina, nori, marine algae sheets, spirulina, high quality frozen foods and high quality flake and pellet foods will keep your Dragon Goby healthy and happy. Also Dragon Gobies should be feed a small meal at least twice a day.