Recent Tioman Dive - Goby & Shrimp Symbiosis

Gobies sometimes form symbiotic relationships with other species. Some goby species live in symbiosis with burrowing shrimps. The shrimp maintains a burrow in the sand in which both the shrimp and the goby fish live. The shrimp has poor eyesight compared to the goby, but if it sees or feels the goby suddenly swim into the burrow, it will follow. The goby and shrimp keep in contact with each other, the shrimp using its antennae, and the goby flicking the shrimp with its tail when alarmed. These gobies are thus sometimes known as watchman gobies. Each party gains from this relationship: the shrimp gets a warning of approaching danger, and the goby gets a safe home and a place to lay its eggs.


Here's one eye-balling me out as I approach its domain.




A yellow-coloured goby and the shrimp cleaning its burrow at foreground of the picture.



Same colour but different goby at keeping watch at another burrow.




Striped goby and the partner shimp just beside it.




This specie has beautiful electric-blue specks. Its just so hard to get near to see all its splendor.




How the pictures were taken:

• Stealth approach.
• Make sure that there's just sand between you and the subject.
  
• Lots of patience and inch your way towards the burrow. You are being watched from a distance and any sudden movement will cause them to dive into the burrow.
• Breathe and exhale slowly as the bubbles are very "noisy" underwater.
  

What the photographers have to put up with:
After a while, the sand puffers get used to your presence and get really, really close to you ... right into your face and lens. As my dive buddy found out, they do 'nibble' at you. No harm in their nibbles but the unexpected 'attention' can scare the crap out of you.

"Hey! Do the right thing. Be a man!"
- Russel Peters -