Tangaroa Shrimpgoby
Ctenogobiops tangaroai
| 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 | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 20 gallons |
| Max Size | 3 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Tangaroa Shrimpgoby (Ctenogobiops tangaroai) is a small shrimp goby known for a pale, lightly translucent body patterned with orange spotting, and a “perch-and-watch” posture on the sand. In the wild it’s found on fine sand patches near reefs, where it shares a burrow with alpheid (pistol) shrimps—one of the classic shrimp goby partnerships seen in reef aquariums.
What You’ll Observe:
- Posting up at the burrow entrance like a lookout, then making short, quick darts back home
- Regular “redecorating” at the doorway as the burrow entrance shifts slightly over time
- A consistent home base on the sandbed, usually in one chosen corner or along the rock line
- Active interest at feeding time—rising a short distance off the sand to grab passing food
Provide a fine sandbed with a few small rubble pieces near stable rockwork so it can establish a burrow zone (especially if kept with a pistol shrimp). Offer small meaty foods (like mysis and finely chopped crustacean blends) so food drifts past its “watch post” and it can feed naturally. In mixed reefs, it does best when its burrow area stays open and unblocked so it can settle into a predictable daily routine.
How long does it take for a Tangaroa Shrimpgoby to pair with a pistol shrimp?
Some pairs connect quickly, while others take a few days as the shrimp establishes a burrow and the goby adopts it as a home base.
Can I add the goby and pistol shrimp at different times?
Yes—many hobbyists add one first and the other later; placing the newcomer near the established burrow area often speeds things up.
Is it normal for this goby to “vanish” for a day or two after introduction?
Yes. It may spend early time reinforcing its chosen spot and only show brief check-ins at the entrance until it settles into a routine.
Will it rearrange sand or bury nearby frags?
The goby stays close to the burrow, but the burrow entrance can shift; keeping frags secured on rock (not resting on sand at the base) helps the area stay tidy.
Can I keep two Tangaroa Shrimpgobies together?
Two can work when they’re an established pair and there’s room for a shared or nearby burrow; otherwise, most tanks do best with a single goby per burrow zone.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
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