Orange-striped shrimpgoby

The term "yasha" in the scientific name of the goby refers to a traditional female demon in Japan; it refers to the large vomerine teeth of this goby, which are located on the palate in the fish's mouth.

Where can I find the animal?

The orange-striped goby lives on the seabed, near the sandy hole that serves as its burrow, at depths of between 10 and 40 metres.

How can you recognise it?

This small fish is characterised by a white body with three orange-red stripes.

Its first dorsal fin is extremely long and white in colour.

This species is easily distinguished from other congeners by the presence of orange-red stripes on a white body and only two median cephalic sensory pores on the head. 

What makes it special?

Found mainly on the outer slopes of reefs, it often lives in pairs above the sandy bottom, at the entrance to its burrow.

It has a symbiotic relationship with a pistol shrimp (Alpheus randalli). It quickly retreats into its burrow when danger approaches, thereby warning the shrimp, whose vision is poor compared to that of the goby.

Threats and protective measures

There are no specific conservation measures for this species.