Yellow watchman goby
Cryptocentrus cinctus · Gobiidae
Also known as Yellow prawn goby
Beginner
Sifts sand from a burrow and often pairs with a pistol shrimp — the best sand-bed character fish.
In short: A yellow watchman goby needs at least 75 L (20 US gal), water at 23–27 °C (73–81 °F) and pH 8.1–8.4. It is peaceful, usually kept singly, and rated beginner to keep.
Updated
- Minimum tank
- 75 L (20 US gal)
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 9 cm (3.5 in)
- Group size
- 1+
Reef & marine husbandry
- Specific gravity
- 1.023–1.026
- Reef safety
- Reef safe
- With corals
- Reef safe.
- With inverts
- Pairs with pistol shrimp; safe with others.
- Minimum in a mixed reef
- 75 L (20 US gal)
- Minimum fish-only (FOWLR)
- 75 L (20 US gal)
- Aggression
- Only defends its burrow.
- Feeding
- Twice daily near the sand.
Care requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 75 L (20 US gal)
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Hardness
- 8–12 dGH
- Lifespan
- 4–8 years
- Diet
- Carnivore — mysis, brine, sinking pellets.
- Care level
- Beginner
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Western Pacific
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Biotope
- Sandy reef margins with shrimp burrows
- Natural conditions
- Deep sand bed, moderate flow.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Minimum group
- 1 fish
- Swims
- Bottom
- Good tank mates
- Pistol shrimpClownfishFirefishChromis
- Avoid
- Other burrowing gobiesAggressive dottybacks
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Advanced
- Sexing
- Males are slightly larger.
- Notes
- Rarely bred at home.
- Common ailments
- Marine ichStarvation in bare-bottom tanks
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