Little Shop of Coral
Yellow Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)
Yellow Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)
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The Yellow Watchman Goby is a reef classic with a bold yellow body, expressive face, and fun burrowing behaviour. It spends most of its time perched near a favourite cave, keeping watch and darting out for food. This species is peaceful, hardy, and a perfect choice for reef and nano reef tanks. It is also famous for pairing with pistol shrimp, forming a symbiotic burrow partnership that is one of the coolest behaviours you can add to a marine aquarium.
Why we love it
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Bright yellow color and tons of personality
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Peaceful and reef safe, great for community and nano reefs
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Fun perching and burrowing behavior
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Can pair with pistol shrimp for an amazing symbiotic partnership
Care and Compatibility
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Safe: Yes
Diet: Carnivore/Omnivore
Adult Size: ~3 to 4"
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons recommended (30g+ ideal)
Feeding
Yellow Watchman Gobies are usually strong eaters once settled.
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Frozen mysis and brine shrimp
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Quality frozen reef blends
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Small sinking pellets once established
Feed once daily or split into smaller portions if tank mates are fast feeders.
Tank and Setup Notes
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Provide sand and rockwork so it can claim a burrow area
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It may dig and move sand around its home, so secure rockwork and frags
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Moderate flow with calmer areas near the bottom is ideal
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A secure lid is recommended since gobies can jump when startled
Compatibility Tips
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Excellent with most peaceful reef fish
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Can be territorial with other bottom-dwelling gobies in smaller tanks
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Reef safe with corals and most inverts
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If pairing with a pistol shrimp, provide a sandy area and small rubble near the burrow site
Acclimation and Health
Slow acclimation is recommended. This species is typically hardy once eating well. Quarantine is ideal when possible, and adding it to a stable tank with plenty of hiding spots helps it settle quickly.
Collapsible content
LIGHT
LOW: Place coral at the bottom of the tank. Depending on the type, coral may need to be placed off sand and therefore mounted on a ceramic disc of piece of rock.
MEDIUM: Place coral at mid-range of the tank. Best placed/glued on top of a rock scape at mid-range height.Â
HIGH: Place coral from mid range to just below water level. SPS coral are shallow growing so they require and are able to tolerate intense light.
FLOW
LOW: Most soft coral do well with a small, gentle pulse. There are certain corals that can even be placed in areas of indirect flow, meaning places aside a rock structure or set into a entrance to a cave style space.
MEDIUM: Many LPS types of coral prefer medium pulse current. Most Euphyllia or corals that have more tissue structure connected to their skeleton, don’t like to be in a high flow area like the direct flow of the wave pump.
HIGH: Similar to high light, SPS enjoy being in some heavy current. Most LPS and SPS that branch encrust or plate prefer high flow that simulates the top water waves.
SKILL
ENTRY: While some may say beginner level, "Entry" is a good term to be used when starting out in the world of corals and marine life. Prior to adding livestock, you want to ensure that your reef has the proper parameters including zero levels of ammonia and nitrite. Seeing traces of nitrate in your waters is a good sign - just keep them at a lower level of 2ppm to 10ppm. Maintaining correct temperature and salinity are a huge factor to stable parameters. Starting to monitor your PH, alkalinity, calcium and magnesium is a great habit to get into to keep a successful reef.
While some soft coral don’t require too much light, having a proper reef light that puts out the proper pars is very important. You'll also want to have a good amount of flow and protected rock areas, as placing corals in their happy spot is ideal for success.
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