Yellow Watchman Goby

Cryptocentrus cinctus

A sentry perched at its burrow. In the wild it shares a home with a blind pistol shrimp and warns it of danger.

A peaceful saltwater fish that grows to 8 cm, lives near the bottom and needs 24–27 °C, pH 8.0–8.4 and an aquarium of at least 60 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Saltwater

Temperature

24–27 °C (75–81 °F)

pH

8.0–8.4

Adult size

8 cm (3.1 in)

Aquarium

60 L or bigger (16 US gal)

Temperament

Peaceful

Group size

Fine on its own

Swims

Bottom

Diet

Carnivore

Wild home

Western Pacific lagoons

Good to know

• Territorial. Fights other territorial fish in its zone, especially in small tanks.
• Shy. Stressed without plants, rocks or caves to hide in.

Tank mates

Good company: Banggai Cardinalfish, Blue-Leg Hermit Crab, Coral Beauty, Green Chromis, Ocellaris Clownfish, Peppermint Angelfish, Royal Gramma, Seahorse, Six-Line Wrasse, Yellowtail Damselfish.

Eaten by: Clown Triggerfish, Lantern Anglerfish, Lionfish, Snowflake Moray.

Attacks: Firefish Goby, Neon Goby.

Attacked by: Clown Triggerfish.

Eats the newborn fry of: Banggai Cardinalfish, Green Chromis, Harlequin Shrimp, Neon Goby, Ocellaris Clownfish, Royal Gramma, Yellowtail Damselfish.

Colours

• Classic uncommon

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.