Dragon Goby

The Banded Dragon Goby (Amblygobius phalaena), also known as the Sleeper Banded Goby or Bullet Goby, is a captivating addition to marine aquariums, recognized for its distinctive coloration and beneficial sand-sifting behavior.

Quick Stats:

• Care Level: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Color Form: Greenish-yellow body with brown bands and iridescent blue markings
• Diet: Omnivore
• Reef Compatible: Yes
• Water Conditions:
  • Specific Gravity: 1.020–1.025
  • Temperature: 72–78°F
  • dKH: 8–12
  • pH: 8.1–8.4
• Maximum Size: 6 inches
• Family: Gobiidae
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Overview: The Banded Dragon Goby features a torpedo-shaped body adorned with brown vertical bands and iridescent blue markings on the face. Its peaceful nature and sand-sifting habits make it a valuable asset for maintaining a clean substrate in reef aquariums. In the wild, it inhabits sandy and rubble areas of lagoons and coastal reefs, where it sifts through the substrate in search of food.

Care Tips:

• Tank Setup: Provide a well-established aquarium with a deep sand bed and ample live rock to support its natural foraging behavior. A tight-fitting lid is recommended, as this species may jump.
• Feeding: Offer a varied diet that includes live and frozen brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and prepared foods. Its sand-sifting activity helps it consume detritus and uneaten food, contributing to a cleaner tank environment.
• Compatibility: Generally peaceful, the Banded Dragon Goby coexists well with other non-aggressive fish. However, it may become territorial with its own kind unless kept as a mated pair.

Fun Fact: Unlike some gobies, the Banded Dragon Goby spends much of its time swimming in the water column rather than staying near the substrate, adding dynamic movement to the aquarium.

By providing appropriate tank conditions and a suitable diet, the Banded Dragon Goby can be a beneficial and engaging addition to your marine aquarium.