Pinkbar Goby

Amblyeleotris aurora is a species of goby native to reefs of the western Indian Ocean at depths of from 5 to 40 metres (16 to 131 ft) though usually not deeper than 10 metres (33 ft). It is commensal with the shrimp Alpheus randalli. This species can reach a length of 11 centimetres (4.3 in) TL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade.

Description

Characterized by whitish body color with five, wide brown bands with diffuse margins; rear corner of mouth with oblique brown band; yellow caudal fin with ocellated red spots/streaks; divided pelvic fins except very low membrane across basal part of fins; gill opening extending forward to about one-third distance from upper rear edge of preopercle to posterior margin of eye; longitudinal scale series 66-92; greatest depth of body 5.7-6.9 in SL.

Distribution

Western Indian Ocean: Maldives southward to northern Natal, South Africa. Reported from the Andaman Sea.

Habitat

Lives with the alphaeid shrimp, Alpheus randalli, in burrows on coral reefs, with coarse sandy bottoms. Occurs in clear coastal to outer reefs on sand and rubble flats in depths of 20-40 meters.