Yellow Watchman Goby

Yellow Watchman Goby

Cryptocentrus cinctus

Also known as: Yellow Prawn Goby, Yellow Shrimp Goby

🧂 Saltwater ✌️ Peaceful 🟢 Easy 🥩 Carnivore Reef Safe

A bright yellow goby with blue spots on the head and a distinctive upturned mouth. Famous for its symbiotic relationship with pistol shrimp — the shrimp digs and maintains a burrow while the goby stands guard.

Tank Size

20 gal
minimum (30+ preferred)

Temperature

74–82°F
23–28°C

pH Range

8.1–8.4
water acidity

Max Size

4"
10.2 cm

Lifespan

3–5 years
typical in captivity

Swim Level

Bottom
preferred zone

Care Notes

Provide a sand bed and rubble for burrowing. Pairs well with Alpheus pistol shrimp for a fascinating symbiotic display. Keep only one unless a mated pair. Peaceful with other species.

Feeding

Frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and sinking marine pellets. Eats from the bottom near its burrow.

Compatible Tank Mates

Blue Green Chromis 3" Pink Skunk Clownfish 3.5" Skunk Clownfish 4" Orange Skunk Clownfish 4.5" Talbot's Damselfish 2.5" Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse 3" Melanurus Wrasse 5" Cleaner Wrasse 4" Yellow Coris Wrasse 5" Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse 3" Firefish Goby 3" Diamond Goby 6"

Use Caution With

Ocellaris Clownfish 3" True Percula Clownfish 3" Yellowtail Damselfish 2.5" Blue Tang 12" Yellow Tang 8" Kole Tang 7" Clarkii Clownfish 5" Tomato Clownfish 5" Scopas Tang 8" Naso Tang 18" Convict Tang 8" Azure Damselfish 2.5"

Incompatible With

Maroon Clownfish 6" Blue Devil Damselfish 3" Powder Blue Tang 9" Achilles Tang 10" Purple Tang 10" Three Stripe Damselfish 3" Domino Damselfish 5" Four Stripe Damselfish 3" Jewel Damselfish 6" Clown Tang 15" Catalina Goby 2.5" Volitan Lionfish 15"

Check Compatibility

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