Amblygobius phalaena 6-9 cm

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Amblygobius phalaena: the brown-banded goby, an excellent burrower for reef tanks

The Amblygobius phalaena, also known as the brown-banded goby, is a peaceful and useful marine goby highly appreciated in reef aquariums for its burrowing behavior and its role in the natural maintenance of the substrate. Native to the sandy lagoons and reef areas of the Indo-Pacific, it is perfect for community tanks.

The Amblygobius phalaena goby features a slim, light beige body with four distinct vertical black bands. It typically reaches 12 to 14 cm in captivity and displays a robust and natural appearance that allows it to blend seamlessly into a reef environment.

A peaceful and burrowing behavior

The Amblygobius phalaena is a calm and sedentary fish that lives at the bottom of the aquarium. It spends its time sifting through the substrate to extract small food particles while actively contributing to sand aeration and reducing anaerobic pockets.

This brown-banded goby is compatible with many peaceful reef species. It is recommended to provide it with quiet areas to avoid stress from overly active fish.

A stable aquarium from 100 liters

The Amblygobius phalaena can be kept in a tank starting at 100 liters, but a larger volume is recommended to provide better comfort. The setup should include:

• A thick layer of fine sandy substrate for burrowing,
• Stable live rocks offering hiding spots and resting areas,
• Moderate water flow to keep the sand clean and oxygenated.

Stable parameters and good water quality are essential to promote its natural behavior.

An omnivorous diet based on the substrate

The Amblygobius phalaena is a benthic omnivore that primarily feeds on small particles trapped in the substrate. In captivity, it also accepts:

• Thawed or live artemias, mysis,
• Sinking pellets rich in protein and algae,
• Natural microfauna present in the sand and on live rocks.

It is recommended to supplement its diet twice a day to ensure healthy growth and maintain its vitality.

An essential goby for maintaining a living substrate

The Amblygobius phalaena goby is an excellent choice for maintaining a healthy and active substrate in a reef aquarium. Its natural burrowing behavior promotes benthic biodiversity and reduces issues related to sediment accumulation.

With an appropriate substrate, a calm environment, and a varied diet, the Amblygobius phalaena will become a discreet yet essential regular for the biological balance of your reef aquarium starting from 100 liters.