Scientific Name: Cryptocentrus cinctus
Alt Scientific Name: Smilogobius cinctus
Common Name: Yellow Watchman Goby
Alt Common Name: Yellow Watchman Prawn, Yellow Shrimp Goby
Group: Gobies (Goby Fishes)
Family: Gobiidae
Distribution: West Pacific - Singapore to Micronesia
Adult Size: 3 inches (7.6cm)
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Temperament: Generally peaceful but may become territorial with other gobies
Care Difficulty: 4/10
Very Easy |
Moderate |
Very Difficult |
Reef Safety Score : 3/3
Not Safe |
High Risk |
Low Risk |
Reef Safe |
Temperature Range: 75°F - 82°F
74 |
76 |
78 |
80 |
82 |
84 |
pH Range: 8.1 - 8.4
7.8 |
8.0 |
8.2 |
8.4 |
8.6 |
8.8 |
Salinity Range (specific gravity): 1.02 - 1.027
1.016 |
1.020 |
1.024 |
1.028 |
1.032 |
1.036 |
Diet Information: Omnivorous - they will readily accept all foods, preferring meaty fares (ie brine shrimp, mysis), but microalgaes are also a regular food. This species should be fed at least twice daily.
Additional Information :
These gobies are commonly found in a symbiotic relationship with Pistol shrimp in the genus Alpheus, the shrimp constructing and cleaning a burrow for the goby, while the goby keeps alert for possible threats to the shrimp.
These gobies tend to hide often so plenty of live rock should help make them feel secure. Some have reported that this fish has jumped from the tank so an aquarium hood with no escape points is highly suggested.
You may be able to keep mated pairs but it is not advisable to keep more than a mated pair of Yellow Watchman Gobies in smaller tanks. They may fight over territory with other goby species.
Tank Mate Compatibility : The Yellow Watchman Goby should do fine in most reef tanks, but care should be taken to ensure it does not get eaten by large or aggressive species.
Breeding Information: Breeding is easily accomplished once a pair is formed, but feeding the very tiny fry is quite difficult. They require smaller free-swimming food than even baby clownfish.
Determining Sex: Males tend to be bright white and females tend to more grey in color. It is unclear if the species is sexually dimorphic but the males and females can both change color.
Primary Area in Tank: Bottom-dwelling - likes to dig in sand and under rocks.
