BIOTA Watchman Goby

Description

Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)

The watchman goby (also known as the yellow prawn goby) is fairly common in the trade, though aquacultured specimens are far less often encountered. This highly distinguishable reef fish is well known for its symbiotic association with certain alpheid shrimps (e.g. pistol shrimp); the shrimp excavates a shared burrow which the goby dutifully guards (hence its common name). The watchman goby is suitable for almost any size of marine aquarium, but of course does prefer a deep sand/gravel bed when kept with a pistol shrimp. Neither fish nor shrimp are not at all fussy about aquarium foods.

* Currently we are only stocking the Silver / Blue Variety and not the yellow!

See below for more information.

Size and Care Requirements

• Purchase Size: ~2″ (length)
• Max Size: 3″ (length)
• Water Parameters:~78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.0-8.4, s.g. 1.021-1.023
• Color: Yellow or grey with blue speckles
• Reef-Safe: Yes
• Feeding: Omnivorous

Watchman Goby Species Information

Cryptocentrus cinctus is distributed across the Western Pacific from Japan and Singapore to the southern Great Barrier Reef, Palau and parts of Micronesia. The species mainly occurs on calm, shallow, sandy bottoms in lagoons and protected coastal bays. It is most often found living in a deep burrow with a pistol shrimp at 10 to 25 meters depth.

Benefits of Aquacultured Marine Livestock

Aquacultured fishes offer a huge advantage over wild-caught specimens. For example, when bred and raised under captive conditions, they adjust more easily to aquarium life. They are also much less likely to carry disease. Even more, aquacultured specimens can better tolerate shipping stress. Most notably, by purchasing aquacultured watchman gobies you support the aquaculture of marine organisms and help to make our hobby more sustainable!

100% Alive on Arrival (AoA) Guarantee

We guarantee that every watchman goby we sell will be Alive On Arrival and in good health. Should it arrive in any other state, we will either replace it free of charge (including shipping) or issue store credit if the total livestock loss is less than $40. For more information, please also visit our 100% Alive On Arrival Guarantee page.