HomeFish encyclopediaRay-finned fishesPerch-like fishGobiesMajestic shrimpgoby Majestic shrimpgoby (Vanderhorstia nobilis) Scientific name: Vanderhorstia nobilis Allen & Randall, 2006 The Majestic shrimpgoby (Vanderhorstia nobilis) is a marine fish of the family Gobiidae. Native range: Western Pacific, Philippines and Indonesia. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 17. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D VI-I, 16; A I, 17; pectoral rays 17-18; scales in longitudinal series 63-68; without scales on head, nape, or prepectoral area; ctenoid scales posteriorly, cycloid anterior to base of sixth dorsal spine; males with elongate body (depth 6.9 in SL), females stouter (depth 5.2-5.3 in SL); gill opening extending forward nearly to a vertical at posterior edge of orbit; dorsal spines progressively longer to third (at least 3.65-4.0 in SL); caudal fin long and pointed (1.9-2.2 in SL); pectoral fins in male reaching to above anal fin origin, or to anus in females, 4.2-4.4 in SL; pelvic fins do not reach base of first anal soft ray (4.1 in SL); distinct colour pattern features of males include a mid-dorsal, neon blue stripe on head, irregular orange spots, bars, and bands on cheek, operculum, and adjacent pectoral fin basSource: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameVanderhorstia nobilisFamilyGobiidae (Gobies)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Depth range5–25 m (16–82 ft)EnvironmentMarine; demersal; depth range 5 - 25 mClimateTropicalDistributionWestern Pacific: Philippines and Indonesia.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026