Yellow Watchman Shrimpgoby
Cryptocentrus cinctus
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 2 - 3" - Indo-Pacific | $39.99 | Email me | |
| Out of Stock | 2" or smaller - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $39.99.$20.99Current price is: $20.99. | Email me |
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Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Beginner |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 30 gallons |
| Max Size | 4 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Yellow Watchman Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) is a bottom-perching shrimp goby known for its yellow to yellow-brown body and small blue speckling on the face and fins. It naturally forms a symbiotic burrow partnership with pistol shrimp, creating a “shrimp goby + pistol shrimp” pair many reef keepers aim for.
What You’ll Observe:
- Perching at the burrow entrance like a lookout, then darting back inside in one quick move
- A strong “home base” routine—often staying within a few inches of its chosen cave
- If housed with a pistol shrimp, frequent doorway activity as sand and rubble get moved around the entrance
- Short, sudden swims around the tank that look like a quick patrol, then a return to the same spot
How to Succeed: Provide a sand bed with some small rubble pieces so it can settle into a stable burrow zone, and make sure your rockwork is well-supported. Offer sinking meaty foods (like mysis or small pellets) so food reaches the bottom, and use a baster to place a little portion near the burrow during the first couple weeks. A covered tank helps keep this goby comfortable as it acclimates, especially when it startles and darts.
Is it normal for a Yellow Watchman to “disappear” for days?
Yes—many keepers report long stretches where they only get brief sightings as the fish settles into its burrow routine.
How long does it take to pair with a pistol shrimp?
Some pairs link up within about a day, while others take longer; once they share the same burrow, you’ll usually see the goby posted near the entrance more consistently.
Why does it only eat when food is very close?
It’s common for them to wait for food to drift right in front of them at first; many learn the tank’s feeding pattern over time, especially with a few targeted bottom feedings early on.
Does its color change from yellow to gray?
Some keepers notice the fish looks duller or gray under different lighting or during parts of the day, then returns to brighter yellow later.
Will the goby/shrimp combo rearrange sand around corals or frags?
They can move sand and small bits of rubble around the burrow entrance; placing frags on stable rock (not directly on the sand near the burrow) keeps the layout consistent.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
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