Cryptocentrus leptocephalus

Bleeker, 1876

Pink-speckled Shrimp Goby

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Indonesia to New Caledonia, north to Southern Japan, and south to northwestern Australia.

Size: 5 inches (12 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits silty bottom areas on protected and inner reef flats and usually found at depths between 3 – 50 feet (1 – 15 m) where it feeds upon benthic invertebrate.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade, having a yellowish pale tan body with numerous reddish spots.

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, with also some algae containing foods, 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).

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Gobioidei

Family: Gobiidae

Genus: Cryptocentrus

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.

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: 50 gallons

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

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5