Yellow Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) Care Guide

A bright yellow goby famous for its symbiotic relationship with pistol shrimp — the shrimp digs a burrow while the goby stands guard.

Overview

Cryptocentrus cinctus is a species in the family Gobiidae. A bright yellow goby famous for its symbiotic relationship with pistol shrimp — the shrimp digs a burrow while the goby stands guard. Peaceful and hardy, it makes an excellent addition to reef tanks and provides an endlessly fascinating behavioral display.

Taxonomy

Family: Gobiidae
Genus: Cryptocentrus
Scientific name: Cryptocentrus cinctus
Other names: Yellow Prawn Goby
Origin: Indo-Pacific

Habitat

Native to the western Pacific from the Ryukyu Islands south to the Great Barrier Reef and east to Fiji. Forms an obligate symbiosis with alpheid pistol shrimps: the shrimp digs and maintains the burrow while the goby acts as a sighted sentry, the two communicating through tactile cues.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 80 L
Temperature: 24-27 °C
pH: 8.1-8.4
GH: 8-12 °dGH
Water flow: low
Adult size: 5-8 cm
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Difficulty: beginner

Diet

Classified as carnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.

Compatibility

Temperament: peaceful
Swimming level: bottom
Compatible tank mates: Clownfish, Blue Chromis, Firefish Goby, Pistol Shrimp
Avoid with: Other Gobies, Aggressive Fish

Reef compatibility

Generally classified as reef-safe: does not feed on stony or soft corals, tridacnid clams or ornamental shrimps under normal conditions.

Breeding

Breeding strategy: egg-depositor
Breeding difficulty: advanced