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Yellow Watchman Goby

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Cryptocentrus cinctus

Complete Yellow Watchman Goby care guide covering carnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 20 Gallons tank setup, and compatible saltwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.

Yellow Watchman Goby

Quick Answer

Yellow Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) is a bright yellow shrimp goby. It requires a minimum 20 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 8.1 - 8.4 and temperature range of 24-26°C. This carnivore occupies the bottom zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Yellow Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) is a bright yellow shrimp goby. It forms a symbiotic relationship with pistol shrimp, sharing a burrow.

Setup

A 20-gallon or larger reef tank with a deep sand bed (2+ inches) and live rock. Provide a pistol shrimp (Alpheus spp.) for a fascinating display.

Feeding

Carnivorous; eats mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, chopped seafood, and small sinking pellets. Feed near its burrow.

Compatibility

Peaceful. Can be kept singly or as a mated pair. Good with most reef-safe fish. Avoid aggressive bottom-dwellers.

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Tank Position
Bottom
Water Temp
24-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
8.1 - 8.4

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Carnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

Banggai Cardinalfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet semanticSimilarity Blue Green Chromis Care Guide: Reef Tank & Diet semanticSimilarity Coral Banded Shrimp Care Guide: Water Params & Breeding semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Yellow Watchman Gobies should be kept together?
Keep one per tank unless you have a verified male-female mated pair in a tank of at least 20 gallons (75 liters). Yellow watchman gobies (Cryptocentrus cinctus) share a famous symbiotic relationship with Alpheus pistol shrimp, sharing burrows. Two males or unbonded individuals fight over burrows. A mated pair requires a tank of 30+ gallons with deep sand bed. Provide a tight-fitting lid; they are jumpers. Avoid with aggressive bottom dwellers.
What are the exact marine water parameters for Yellow Watchman Gobies?
Target pH 8.1 - 8.4, specific gravity 1.023 - 1.025 (35-35.5 ppt), General Hardness 7 - 12 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 8 - 12 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 32,000 - 35,000 ppm, and temperature 72°F - 78°F (22°C - 26°C). Provide a deep layer of mixed sand and coral rubble substrate (3-4 inches/7.5-10 cm) so they can build stable burrow networks. Maintain nitrates below 15 ppm with weekly 20% water changes. Use a protein skimmer. Stable salinity is critical.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Yellow Watchman Gobies?
They are carnivores requiring 55% protein, 15% fat, 30% algae. Feed frozen mysis shrimp, fortified brine shrimp, table shrimp pieces, and sinking marine micro-pellets twice daily. They accept small pellets. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.15 mg/L Cupramine) but sensitive to hyposalinity. Praziquantel is safe. Quarantine with chloroquine phosphate (15 mg/L) for 14 days. Avoid formalin. They are hardy but can carry internal parasites.
How to breed Yellow Watchman Gobies in captivity?
Breeding is rare. Condition a bonded pair with a pistol shrimp (Alpheus randalli) to stimulate natural behavior. Provide deep sand bed. The pair burrows; spawning occurs in the burrow; female lays 200-500 eggs. Male guards eggs for 5-7 days. Eggs hatch; larvae are pelagic and require rotifers and phytoplankton for 30-40 days. Not recommended for home aquariums.

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