Description
White Watchman Goby – Amblygobius stethophthalmus
Overview:
The White Watchman Goby is a hardy sand-sifting goby known for its subtle cream-white body with light markings and its helpful role in keeping the substrate clean. It spends much of its time filtering sand for food and creating small burrows, making it both functional and fascinating to watch.
Origin:
Indo-Pacific, where it inhabits sandy lagoon bottoms and reef slopes.
Feeding:
Carnivorous – thrives on frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and sinking pellets. Will also consume microorganisms from the sand bed.
Tank Mates:
Best with peaceful reef-safe fish, invertebrates, and corals. Avoid very aggressive or territorial species.
Aggression:
Generally peaceful, but may defend its burrow against similar gobies.
Experience Level:
Beginner to Intermediate – hardy and adaptable, but requires a sand substrate for natural feeding and burrowing behavior.
Water Parameters:
-
Temperature: 74–80°F (23–27°C)
-
pH: 8.1–8.4
-
Salinity: 1.020–1.025
-
Minimum Tank Size: 30+ gallons with sandy bottom
The White Watchman Goby is an excellent utility fish for marine aquariums, combining a peaceful nature with practical sand-cleaning abilities.
