Silverspot Shrimpgoby

Overview

The Silverspot Shrimpgoby (Ctenogobiops maculosus) is a small, slender marine fish native to the Red Sea. Like other members of its genus, it is well-known for its obligate mutualistic relationship with alpheid shrimp, with which it shares a burrow in sandy or rubble-rich substrates.

Appearance

This species features an elongated, whitish body marked with longitudinal rows of dark brown spots and dashes. Distinctive identification features include three diagonal rows of orange-to-brown lines extending from below the eye toward the rear gill cover, and a notable white streak on the pectoral fin. Its body is covered in scales that increase in size toward the tail, while the head and chest remain scaleless.

Biology & behavior

The Silverspot Shrimpgoby acts as a vigilant sentinel for its shrimp partner. While the shrimp maintains and excavates the shared burrow, the goby remains near the entrance, using its keen vision to detect potential predators and signaling the shrimp to retreat when danger approaches. They are typically found in shallow coastal waters, including reef flats and lagoons, where they prefer fine sand or silty bottoms.