Yellow Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)

The Yellow Watchman Goby or Cryptocentrus cinctus is a very entertaining aquarium fish. Like it's close relative the Hi Fin Red Banded Goby, this species can have a symbiotic relationship with a Pistol Shrimp. The Pistol Shrimp will spend the day hard at work burrowing a hole in which the Yellow Watchman Goby and the shrimp live together in harmony.  Pistol Shrimp have terrible eyesight, so the Watchman Goby's job is to stand watch at the end of the hole, keeping an eye out for any potential predators.  If a predator happens to get too close the Watchmen will signal the pistol shrimp and they will both going into hiding.  At night, the Goby will go into the burrow, and the shrimp will collapse the entrance to close it off, apparently three is a crowd in this relationship.  The next day they start the whole process over again. These two creatures have even been known to share food with each other!  You can see this amazing relationship in the video below.


Yellow Watchman Goby have several different names including Yellow Prawn Goby, Yellow Shrimp, Prawn Goby, Midas Goby, Iga Tubumata, Watchman Gold, and Yellow Spotted Blenny. These saltwater fish are native to the Western Pacific Ocean.  In an aquarium the following water conditions are acceptable, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025.  They are considered to be a peaceful fish, but can become territorial with other species of Gobies.  Growing to only about 3" in length, an aquarium of 30 gallons or more is acceptable.  They are carnivorous and should be fed a variety of mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, table shrimp, and other frozen meaty treats.

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