Flaming Prawn Goby (Discordipinna Griessingeri) saltwater aquarium fish

Overview:

The Flaming Prawn Goby is a small, shy, reef-associated goby best kept in a peaceful, mature marine aquarium. It does best in a tank with fine sand, scattered rubble, and plenty of hiding places, especially if kept with a pistol shrimp partner. A secure lid is important, as these gobies may jump when startled. Provide stable reef conditions with excellent water quality: temperature 74–80°F, salinity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, and low nitrate and phosphate. Strong, direct flow should be avoided; gentle to moderate circulation is ideal so the fish can hold position without stress. Because this species is naturally cautious, subdued lighting and plenty of structure help it settle in and display normal behavior.

Diet and Feeding:

Flaming Prawn Gobies are carnivorous and should be fed a varied, protein-rich diet. In captivity they often accept frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and quality small marine pellets or granules. New specimens may need target feeding near their burrow or shelter, since they can be slow to compete with bolder tankmates. Feed small portions 1–2 times daily rather than large meals. A varied diet supports color, condition, and long-term health. Soaking foods in vitamin and HUFA supplements is beneficial, especially for recently imported or thin individuals. Uneaten food should be removed quickly, because gobies prefer clean substrates and excessive waste can degrade water quality.

Compatibility:

This species is generally peaceful and should only be housed with non-aggressive tankmates. It is a poor match for large, boisterous fish, fin-nippers, or highly territorial bottom dwellers that may displace it from its shelter. Compatible tankmates include small reef-safe fish such as cardinals, clownfish, firefish, and other gentle gobies, provided the aquarium is large enough to reduce territorial conflict. If paired with a pistol shrimp, choose a known compatible species and give the pair a sand bed deep enough to burrow. Avoid housing with predatory wrasses, hawkfish, large dottybacks, triggers, or aggressive shrimp-eating species. In mixed reef systems, the Flaming Prawn Goby is typically safe with corals and most invertebrates, but it may compete with very similar gobies for burrow space.

Health and Quarantine:

Common health issues include stress from transport, starvation, ich, and bacterial infections related to poor water quality. Quarantine all new arrivals for 2–4 weeks in a quiet, stable setup so you can monitor appetite, respiration, and feces. This species can be sensitive to rapid salinity or temperature changes, so acclimate slowly. During quarantine, offer small, frequent feedings and observe whether the fish is holding weight and behaving normally. Provide clean substrate or a small shelter to reduce stress. In the display tank, prevent disease by maintaining stable parameters, avoiding overcrowding, and ensuring the goby can retreat safely. Early intervention is important if it stops eating, breathes rapidly, or remains hidden for extended periods.

algae spirulina mysis shrimp brine shrimp
The Flaming Prawn Goby is a small, sand-associated bottom-dweller that spends much of its time hovering low over the substrate and darting back to a burrow or shelter when startled, so it does best in a tank with a deep sandbed and ample hiding spots. It is generally peaceful, but males and conspecifics can be territorial, especially in smaller aquaria or when suitable burrow sites are limited. A minimum tank size of 30 gallons is recommended, with a layout that includes rockwork, visual barriers, and open sand areas to reduce line-of-sight conflicts and encourage natural burrowing behavior. In a reef-safe community, it usually coexists well with other non-aggressive species, though boisterous tank mates and persistent predators may stress or outcompete it for food and shelter. Its diet is omnivorous with a strong carnivorous lean, feeding primarily on small benthic crustaceans, zooplankton, and meaty prepared foods, and it should be offered frequent small meals to support its active foraging and hunting behavior.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Flaming Prawn Goby

  • Will a Flaming Prawn Goby actually live with a pistol shrimp, and if so which shrimp species are the best partners?
    Yes, if it’s a true shrimp-goby type from the Stonogobiops/related “prawn goby” group, it will usually pair best with a small Alpheus pistol shrimp, especially peaceful burrow builders like Alpheus randalli. The goby and shrimp should be introduced into a mature sandbed so the shrimp can immediately start digging and the goby can claim the burrow. Not every individual pairs, but the best success comes when the shrimp is already established and the goby is healthy, alert, and willing to hover close to the substrate. Avoid large or aggressive pistol shrimp species that can bulldoze the goby or destabilize the burrow.
  • How much sand depth does a Flaming Prawn Goby need to maintain a proper burrow?
    A minimum of about 2–3 inches of fine sand is ideal, with deeper areas even better if the tank allows it. The substrate should be fine enough for burrow construction but stable enough that tunnels don’t constantly collapse. Coarse crushed coral or very sharp sand makes burrow maintenance difficult. These gobies depend on a secure burrow entrance, so rockwork should sit firmly on the bottom glass before sand is added to prevent collapses from undermining the structure.
  • Will a Flaming Prawn Goby jump, and what kind of tank setup prevents losses?
    Yes, absolutely—they are excellent jumpers, especially when startled, harassed, or when they’re still settling in. A tight-fitting lid is mandatory, not optional. Any gap around plumbing, feeding openings, or cable cutouts should be sealed. These gobies often live near burrow entrances and can launch straight up when spooked by tankmates, sudden movement, or a collapsing burrow. A covered tank with low stress and stable water flow dramatically reduces jump risk.
  • What should I feed a Flaming Prawn Goby, and how do I get a new one to eat in captivity?
    They do best on small meaty foods: mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, copepod-rich frozen blends, and small sinking carnivore foods. New specimens often ignore larger pellets at first, so use small, moving foods and feed near the burrow entrance with a pipette or turkey baster. They are not strong grazers and usually won’t thrive on algae-based foods. Frequent small feedings work better than one large meal, especially during the acclimation period.
  • Is a Flaming Prawn Goby reef safe, and what tankmates commonly cause problems?
    Yes, it is generally reef safe, but it is not always fish-community safe. It can be bullied by boisterous wrasses, dottybacks, hawkfishes, larger gobies, and aggressive damsels. Fast feeders may outcompete it at mealtime, while predatory fish can simply eat it. Best tankmates are calm, non-aggressive reef fish such as small clowns, firefish, cardinals, and peaceful blennies. Keep in mind that a stressed Flaming Prawn Goby will often stop hovering openly and may refuse food, so social pressure matters as much as water quality.