Cryptocentrus cinctus

(Herre, 1936)

Yellow Prawn Goby, Golden Watchman Goby

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Japan to Singapore, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef and Truk.

Size: 4 inches (10 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits sandy areas of shallow lagoons and protected coastal bays where it lives with Alpheid/pistol shrimp and usually found at depths between 30 – 85 feet (10 – 25 m) where it feeds upon benthic invertebrate.

General Husbandry: Common in the trade, having a yellowish body with white, sometimes blue spots on the head and mostly upper body and dorsal.

Best maintained in fish-only or reef aquariums with wide-open course grained (2 - 4 mm) sandy areas where it can form a burrow, and also some loose rubble where it can hide if feeling threatened.

Should not be housed with aggressive or fin-nipping fishes, such as groupers, dottybacks, triggerfishes or angelfishes.

As to diet, should be fed finely chopped fresh or frozen meaty foods, e.g., krill, marine fish flesh, mysis, scallops, shrimp, clams, and be fed twice daily. Small sinking enriched shrimp pellets are also an excellent way of keeping them well fed.

If difficult to get feeding, try live adult fortified brine shrimp and black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus).

FYI: May jump out of uncovered aquariums.

May hide for days when first introduced into the aquarium.

One per aquarium unless a mated pair.

Each of its eyes moves independently, allowing it to watch various directions at the same time.

Will consume ornamental shrimp and small crabs.

Feisty towards other gobies and small fishes.

According to aquarist John Gibbin in the UK, his Cryptocentrus cinctus has partnered with Alpheus bellulus.

Experience Level: Beginner

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 - 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5