White Cap Goby

Lotilia klausewitzi - The White Cap Goby is one of the rarest gobies in the aquarium trade, and most aquarium professionals have never even seen one in person. 

Wild caught White Cap Gobies are difficult to feed in captivity. These captive bred gobies from David Sowash at Reef Life Creations are raised on prepared foods like frozen baby brine, chopped mysis, and PE Calanus, making them easier to keep in captivity. While the gobies are still growing, feed at least 3 - 4x a day. 

White Cap Gobies are well-behaved reef inhabitants that will not pick at coral, sessile invertebrates, or other species of fish. Avoid keeping it with aggressive species or animals that are large enough to eat small fish. Like other gobies, these can easily jump out of an aquarium when chased or frightened, so a tight fitting lid is required. With a max size of 2" they require an aquarium of at least 10 gallons. We strongly recommend using an acclimation box to introduce new fish to your aquarium.

Shrimp Symbiont 

White Cap Gobies share a symbiotic relationship with certain species of pistol shrimps. Unfortunately at this time, the pistol shrimp are not aquacultured. The Gobies do not require a symbiotic shrimp for survival in the home aquarium.

The symbiotic relationships these gobies form with their shrimps is fascinating. The shrimp builds and maintains the burrow where shrimp and goby live. In turn, the goby provides protection and food for the shrimp. When the two are together, you'll notice the shrimp always has an antenna touching the goby, as this is how the two communicate. When danger approaches, the goby will signal to the shrimp that it must retreat into the burrow immediately, and the goby follows quickly after. This allows the shrimp, which has poor eyesight, to work on the burrow without having to worry about also watching for predators. In the wild, it's common to find a pair of gobies and a pair of shrimp inhabiting one burrow together.

There are a handful of species in the aquarium trade that naturally pair with Gobies, though only a few are commonly available. The White Cap Goby naturally pairs with Alpheus rubromaculatus, but will pair with other species in captivity, potentially with common species like Alpheus bellulus, Alpheus randalli, Alpheus ochrostiratus, or Alpheus djiboutensis. The shrimp relies on chemical cues to find and pair with a goby. Keep in mind, most species of Alpheus are not goby symbionts; some form relationships with invertebrates like anemones, sponges, or corals, and others are free-living. Though it is possible for a goby to "adopt" a species of shrimp that is not a natural symbiont, it's much less likely, and the behaviors will be different than they'd be with a natural pairing. We recommend introducing new fish with an acclimation box.

Reef Safe? Yes

Parameters:

Diet:

Current Size: 0.25-.75"

Max Size:

Suggested Tank Size:

5 Gallons