Dracula Goby
Stonogobiops dracula
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 1.25 - 2.25" - Indian Ocean | Original price was: $269.99.$141.99Current price is: $141.99. | Email me |
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| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 10 gallons |
| Max Size | 3 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Dracula Goby (Stonogobiops dracula) is a small shrimp goby with a white body marked by bold red banding and darker striping. It comes from sand-and-rubble zones near reefs in the western Indian Ocean, including areas around the Maldives and Seychelles.
What You’ll Observe:
- Hovering just above a chosen burrow entrance, then settling back onto the sand to perch
- Quick, short dashes upward to grab drifting food, followed by an almost immediate return to the same spot
- Strong “home base” behavior—most of its activity stays centered around one section of sandbed
- If paired with a pistol shrimp, the goby often acts as the lookout while the shrimp maintains the burrow
For best results, provide a sandy bottom with a few small rubble pieces so it can establish a burrow area, and set rockwork on a stable base before adding sand. Offer small meaty foods (like mysis and finely chopped seafood blends) in several small feedings, delivered near its perch. It does best in calm community reefs where tankmates give it space to settle near its home site.
Does a Dracula Goby need to be kept with a pistol shrimp to do well?
Many keepers enjoy them most as part of a goby–pistol shrimp pair, but a single fish will still choose a home site when it has sand and rubble to work with. If you add a shrimp later, the goby often “moves in” once both are established.
How long does it take before I see it out in the open?
It’s common for the fish to stay very close to cover at first and then expand its hovering area as it learns the tank’s routine. Consistent lighting and feeding times usually make its daily appearances more predictable.
What’s the best way to make sure it gets food when it stays near the burrow?
Target feeding with a turkey baster or pipette helps food drift right in front of its perch. Foods that stay suspended briefly (like mysis or finely chopped blends) tend to get noticed quickly.
Can I keep multiple shrimp gobies/pistol shrimp pairs in the same aquarium?
In larger aquariums, hobbyists report success when each pair has its own sand “zone” and burrow site. Spreading out rubble patches and rock islands helps each pair pick a spot.
Why does my Dracula Goby open its mouth or “yawn” at the glass?
Keepers often describe this as normal display/awareness behavior when something large approaches its territory. It’s typically seen when the fish is settled and actively watching activity near its burrow.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
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