Mertens' prawn-goby (Vanderhorstia mertensi)

Scientific name: Vanderhorstia mertensi Klausewitz, 1974

The Mertens' prawn-goby (Vanderhorstia mertensi) is a marine fish of the family Gobiidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 20–26°C (68–79°F). Native range: Indo-West Pacific, Red Sea and Japan. Reported from Papua New Guinea and the Great Barrier Reef.

Mertens' prawn-goby care at a glance

Temperature: 20–26°C (68–79°F)

Biology

Occurs in coastal reefs, on sand or mud. Hovers near the entrance of burrows

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Vanderhorstia mertensi
Family: Gobiidae (Gobies)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 11.0
Depth range: 2–10 m (7–33 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 10 m, usually 2 - 10 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and Japan. Reported from Papua New Guinea and the Great Barrier Reef.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)