Animalia Life
Amblyeleotris wheeleri
FAMILY
Gobiidae
TAXONOMY
Cryptocentrus wheeleri Polunin and Lubbock, 1977, Aldabra
Atoll, Seychelles.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Gorgeous goby, Wheeler’s shrimp goby; Afrikaans:
Mooidikkop; Gela: Iga taotao; Tagalog: Bia.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Reaches about 3.2 in (8 cm) total length. Body with scales
(62–68 in longitudinal series along the flanks). Second dorsal
and anal fins, each with 12 soft fin rays. Pelvic fins not forming
a strong sucking disk; fins connected between innermost rays
but not between spines of each fin. Head and body a light yellowish
green or brownish dorsally, with six reddish, vertical, or
oblique bands on flanks; numerous small, bluish spots, or reddish
spots on head. A vertical red stripe runs from eye to corner
of mouth. Fins transparent, and all except pectorals with numerous
blue spots and often with reddish bases, and dorsal fins
with orange spots near edge. Caudal fin has oblique red stripe.
DISTRIBUTION
Throughout much of the Indo-Pacific region, from East and
South Africa and the southern Red Sea to Fiji; in the Pacific,
north to Taiwan, and the Ryukyu Islands of southern Japan,
and south to the Great Barrier Reef
HABITAT
Lives on sand and rubble patches of reef flats between 16 and
98 ft (5–30 m) deep. Found in association with alpheid prawns
(usually Alpheus ochrostriatus) that live in burrows.
BEHAVIOR
Typical of several species of gobies that live symbiotically with
prawns. The goby rests just outside the prawn’s burrow, and
retreats into the burrow at the approach of danger. The goby
and prawn may stay in reasonably close contact with each
other when either leaves the burrow. The goby benefits from
the shelter afforded by the burrow, and might also be
“cleaned” by the prawn. The goby acts as a “watchman” for
the prawn. The goby can signal the presence or absence of
danger by flicking movements of its tail, and the prawn feels
these signals through its antennae, which it places on the
goby’s tail. If the prawn cleans the goby of small particles attached
to its body, then this may provide a useful food source
for the prawn.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Nothing known.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Nothing known.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Commercial importance in the aquarium trade.
Photo Gallery of - Gorgeous prawn-goby
