White Cap Goby
Lotilia graciliosa
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
|---|
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Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Omnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 20 gallons |
| Max Size | 2 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The White Cap Goby (Lotilia graciliosa) is a small shrimp goby with a bright white “cap” and dorsal stripe over a darker body, often showing a false eyespot near the first dorsal fin. In the wild it lives on sandy areas along coral and rock, and is known for associating with pistol shrimps (Alpheus spp.), using a shared burrow as its home base.
What You’ll Observe:
- Spending most of its time posted near a chosen burrow entrance, then making short dashes to grab food
- Regular “peek and perch” behavior—popping out, hovering briefly, then returning to the same spot
- If kept with a pistol shrimp, the pair settling into a consistent tunnel area and reworking sand around the entrance
- A predictable routine where it becomes most visible when you approach the tank for feeding
Provide a fine sand bed with small rubble pieces near the base of rockwork so it can establish a burrow zone. Offer a mix of small frozen foods and appropriately sized pellets so it can eat quickly and consistently. It does best with calm tankmates that allow it to feed without competition.
Will it pair with any pistol shrimp, or only a specific species?
Many hobbyists look for a true pairing with a specific Alpheus partner; some report cohabitation with other pistols even when the classic “bonded” behavior is less obvious.
Is it normal for the goby to disappear for days after introduction?
Yes—keepers often report long stretches where they only see a fin tip or brief appearances as the fish settles into a burrow routine.
How long does it usually take a goby and pistol shrimp to “find each other”?
Some pairs link up quickly, while others take a few days; adding them close to the same area of the sand/rock boundary often speeds up the process.
Can the goby and shrimp be added separately (or temporarily separated) and still pair later?
In many tanks they will still connect later, as long as both are established and there’s a suitable burrow area available.
If I never see the shrimp, does that mean it’s gone?
Not necessarily—pistol shrimps are frequently reported as staying hidden for long periods, especially once they have a stable tunnel system.
We work with trusted suppliers who keep our specimens healthy and well-fed before shipping.
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