Orange Marked Goby
Amblygobius decussatus
| 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 | Easy |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Sand Sifting |
| Diet Type | Omnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 20 gallons |
| Max Size | 4 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Orange Marked Goby (Amblygobius decussatus) is a sand-sifting goby that takes mouthfuls of substrate and releases it as it searches for organic matter and small invertebrates, keeping open sand areas turned over. It’s commonly seen resting on the sandbed with an orange-and-cream, reticulated (crosshatched) look that blends well into lagoon-style reef layouts.
What You’ll Observe:
- Regular “sip-and-sift” passes across the sand, followed by short pauses to perch and watch the tank
- A favorite hangout area under a ledge or beside rockwork where it uses an existing nook as a home base
- Small sand mounds or shallow trenches forming over time as it redecorates a chosen zone
- Quick, purposeful dashes between open sand and cover, especially around feeding time
To help this goby settle in, provide a sandbed with stable rockwork placed securely on the bottom and leave some open substrate for daily sifting. Offer a mix of small frozen foods and sinking micro-pellets so it can grab bites as they drift and as they land. Maintaining a tight-fitting lid and consistent feeding routines supports steady, day-to-day activity.
Will it bury frags or dust nearby corals with sand?
It can toss light sand while sifting. Many hobbyists keep frags on small racks or place lower corals slightly away from the main sand-sifting “run.”
Does it need very fine sand, or can it live on crushed coral?
It typically sifts best with fine-to-medium sand that moves easily through its mouth and gills. If your substrate is coarse, adding a small “sandbox” area can concentrate the behavior where you want it.
Will it pair with a pistol shrimp?
Some aquarists report shared burrows with pistol shrimp, but it’s not as consistent as classic shrimp-goby species. If you try it, providing multiple ready-made hiding spots helps both animals choose a home base.
Is it normal for it to disappear for stretches of time?
Yes—many keepers see a pattern of being “out and about” followed by time spent working around its home base under rock edges or in a burrow area.
Why does it keep spitting sand in the same spot?
That’s a common way sand-sifters “process” a preferred patch and shape a shelter zone. Over days, the repeated sifting can create a noticeable mound or a shallow trench.
We work with trusted suppliers who keep our specimens healthy and well-fed before shipping.
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