All fish / Gobiidae

Yellow Watchman Goby

Cryptocentrus cinctus

Also known as yellow watchman, yellow prawn goby, yellow shrimp goby, banded prawn goby, citrus goby, yellow watchman goby, watchman goby, ギンガハゼ, 黄虾虎, 黄金虾虎

A stocky goby, usually bright yellow with small blue spots on the head and fins, although grey or brownish forms also occur. It sits on the sand by its burrow watching the tank, and it is popular because it is hardy, reef safe and can form a partnership with a pistol shrimp of the genus Alpheus.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

7.5 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

75 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a mated pair; one per tank unless paired

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood, quality pellets and frozen marine foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore to northern Australia, Palau and Solomon Islands

Breeding

Pairs lay eggs inside the burrow and the male guards them until they hatch. It has been bred in captivity, but rearing the tiny pelagic larvae needs live foods such as rotifers and is hard for home keepers.

Good to know

It will fight with other gobies of similar shape and may eat very small shrimps or fish that fit in its mouth. Use a lid because it can jump, and provide a deep, fine sand bed for burrowing.