Mesmerizer Shrimpgoby, Squillamica panypnotistikos
Average length: 12-15cm
Maximum length: 17cm
Locality: Tabalitan Reef
Depth: 75-120m
Element: Infernal/Luminescent
One of the rarest dual element species to find on the reefs, the Mesmerizer Shrimpgoby is a marvel to behold. It is commonly found singly in burrows on the seafloor, close to rockwork. They shovel through sand to find food particles, but they can also be seen up in the water column, feeding on passing plankton. They also feed on smaller fish and crustaceans, given the opportunity.
It gets its name from its first dorsal fin. When threatened, they fan it out, and rapidly flash the blue and purple pattern inside. The flashes serve to disorient anything that tries to take a bite, but as a side effect, they are also somewhat hypnotic…
