📖 Overview
Inhabits shallow sandy areas among seagrass and in silty lagoons amongst rubble . Lives in burrows with alpheid shrimp species with dark bands on back . Feeds on small benthic invertebrates .
Scientific Name
Vanderhorstia ornatissima
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 14; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 13. Thin blue barring or rings near tail along the sides .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Ornate prawn-goby is currently being
reviewed.
🦐 Diet
aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus
🥚 Reproduction
🐣 Oviparous
📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated, usually ? - 3 m . Tropical; 21°C - 27°C ; 30°N - 28°S East Africa to Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands (Ref.
🌍 Native Range
3 countries
Mauritius
Mozambique
Seychelles
🌿 Ecology
Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine
🪸 Reef Associated
Food Items
small benthic invertebrates (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
Length–Weight Relationship:
W = 0.00741 × L3.09
(TL)
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
Temperature Range
21–27°C
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
IUCN Category
Least Concern
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
16.00/100
Low vulnerability
Latitude Range
30°N
–
28°S
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Vanderhorstia Ornatissima is an edible species."
✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age Firm flesh that springs back when pressed Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
Cloudy or sunken eyes Strong fishy or ammonia odour Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking
Grilling
Pan-frying
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
Nutrient
Amount
Protein
17.8 g
Omega-3 (total)
97 mg
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Ornate prawn-goby has not yet been
assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g
- Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
Proximate Composition
Energy 125 kcal
Moisture 75 %
Protein 20 %
Total Fat 4 %
Ash 1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat 1 g
Monounsaturated Fat 1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.5 g
Omega-3 Total 1 g
EPA 0.3 g
DHA 0.5 g
Omega-6 Total 0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium 20 mg
Iron 0.7 mg
Magnesium 30 mg
Phosphorus 220 mg
Potassium 380 mg
Sodium 55 mg
Zinc 0.5 mg
Selenium 32 µg
Vitamin B12 2 µg
📊 Population Dynamics
Year
Region
Index
Notes
-
-
-
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Ornate prawn-goby.
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed
.