Description

Hi Fin Spangle Goby – Ctenogobiops tangaroai

Overview:
The Hi Fin Spangle Goby is a small, sand-dwelling goby renowned for its elegant fins and delicate spotted pattern, creating a “spangled” appearance. Often forming symbiotic partnerships with pistol shrimp, it excavates or shares burrows for protection, making it an interactive and fascinating addition to reef aquariums.

Origin:
Native to the Indo-Pacific, typically inhabiting sandy patches near coral reefs, where it forms burrows or associates with burrowing shrimp.

Feeding:
Carnivorous – feeds on small invertebrates, plankton, and micro-crustaceans. In captivity, it accepts frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and sinking micro-pellets. Multiple small feedings daily are recommended.

Tank Mates:
Peaceful and reef-safe, ideal for nano and reef setups with other non-aggressive fish. Avoid predatory species that may disrupt burrows or prey on the goby.

Aggression:
Low. Territorial around its burrow but otherwise peaceful and compatible with other small gobies.

Experience Level:
Intermediate. Requires a sandy substrate at least 3 inches deep and plenty of burrow opportunities, ideally paired with a pistol shrimp.

Water Parameters:

Temperature: 74–78°F (23–26°C)
pH: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

The Hi Fin Spangle Goby (Ctenogobiops tangaroai) is a peaceful, visually striking, and behaviorally engaging goby, perfect for sand-dwelling microhabitats in reef tanks.