Elongated fish with pale and dark bands and a round head.

Engineer goby

Pholidichthys leucotaenia
Where at Shedd?
Wild Reef
Diet Bottom dwelling invertebrates such as small shrimps
Size Length: Up to 13 inches (34 cm)
Type Fishes
Range Lagoons and coastal reefs of the West-Central Pacific Ocean
Habitat This schooling fish is found in shallow lagoon and coastal reefs of the west central Pacific Ocean

Did you know?

  1. Juvenile engineer gobies look like venomous striped coral catfish. This means it can search for food alone undisturbed by predators.
  2. Scientists suspect the juveniles swim into the mouths of adults to feed them regurgitated plankton they collect during their solo foraging trips.
  3. As its name suggests engineer gobies are builders and can construct extensive burrows.
  4. If you watch long enough, you may see an engineer goby (or two) emerge from its burrow with a mouthful of gravel to spit out.