New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

🌊 Marine Least Concern 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

Moon-spotted shrimp goby

Vanderhorstia nannai Winterbottom, Iwata & Kozawa, 2005
Max Length
3.3 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.1
Depth
5–20 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Based on a photo taken from the Philippines, it is reasonable to assume that it is associated with burrows made and occupied by alphaeid shrimps (albeit no visible evidence of the shrimp in the image), as is the case in all it congeners for which information is available . Found in sand-rubble bottoms in 5-20 m (Ref 90102).

Scientific Name
Vanderhorstia nannai
Authority
Winterbottom, Iwata & Kozawa, 2005
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
3.3 cm
Depth Range
5–20 m
Trophic Level
3.1
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 11; Vertebrae: 26. This species is distinguished by the following characters: shares with Vanderhorstia papillo the elongated 5" (upper lobe) and 9" (lower lobe) branched caudal fin rays; differs from V. papillo in having more lateral scales (41-45 vs. 27); no scales in the predorsal midline (vs. 11); a unique color pattern (off-white background with large yellow spots along the midlateral body vs. such spots absent, and absence of four dark gray brown saddles on body vs. present); adults with both third and fourth dorsal spines elongate; more lower gill rakers on the first arch (16-17 vs. 10); fewer pseudobranch filaments (6-7 vs. 9); a single papilla in row c on the cheek (vs. 4) and row b not interrupted (vs. in two sections) .: elongated; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Moon-spotted shrimp goby is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 5 - 20 m . Tropical

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.1±0.3

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00741 × L3.09 (TL)
Max TL
3.3cm
Dorsal Spines
7
Dorsal Rays
11
Anal Spines
1
Anal Rays
11
Vertebrae
26

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2023

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
10.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.1
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Winterbottom, Iwata & Kozawa, 2005

🦠 Common Diseases

The following diseases are known to affect Moon-spotted shrimp goby.

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Moon-spotted shrimp goby ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.