Fish
beginnerYellow watchman goby
Cryptocentrus cinctus
Quick reference
Min tank size
20 US gal
20 gal — needs sand for burrow and rockwork stability.
Min tank length
24 in
Length matters more than gallons for active swimmers.
Temperature
75–82 °F
Salinity
1.024–1.026 SG
pH
8.1–8.4
Feeding
Small carnivore. Mysis, brine, pellet. Will feed from the water column when target-fed.
Compatibility
Peaceful. Pair with Tiger or Red Banded pistol shrimp (Alpheus randalli or A. bellulus). Best to add shrimp first, goby second.
What kills it
Jumping out of open-top tanks. Carpet anemone consumption.
Common mistakes
- •Not having a deep enough sand bed — they need 2+ inches to burrow.
- •Adding goby before shrimp — best pair-up if shrimp is established first.
- •Open-top tanks without mesh lid.
Equipment & food for this species
Needs a 2+ inch sand bed for burrowing. Target-feed with mysis after the pistol shrimp pair is established.
PE Mysis Shrimp — frozen
Whole-shrimp frozen food. Premium reef-tank standard.
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CaribSea Arag-Alive Special Grade reef sand
Live aragonite, no rinse, 2-inch grain. Reef default.
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Julian's Thing target feeder
Best target feeder for coral spot-feeding.
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