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    Yellow watchman goby

    Cryptocentrus cinctus

    Also sold as Yellow prawn goby, Spotted watchman (regional variety)

    Good first fish

    Yellow watchman goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus), photographed in the sea or an aquarium
    Photo: Haplochromis, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
    Care level
    Beginner
    Adult size
    10.2 cm in aquariums
    Minimum tank
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    With corals
    Reef safe
    Captive-bred
    Occasionally captive-bred
    IUCN status
    Least Concern
    Show volumes in

    How do you care for the yellow watchman goby?

    Peaceful to other species; territorial with its own kind unless paired.

    Feeding

    Carnivore.

    Takes frozen mysis and pellets readily.

    Tank and special needs

    Plan for at least 114 litres of water (the care sheet says 30 US gallons).

    Sand bed and rubble to burrow; tight lid, it jumps (LiveAquaria).

    Corals and invertebrates

    May eat very small shrimp (typical of prawn gobies).

    Which tankmates suit the yellow watchman goby?

    Pairs with Alpheus pistol shrimp. One per tank or a mated pair.

    Suggested order in a mixed tank: add early, with the first peaceful fish.

    More than one yellow watchman goby

    Only as a mated pair, or two juveniles added together. A third yellow watchman goby is usually driven out.

    Other fish

    Checked against the other 59 fish in this guide, assuming a tank big enough for both. Individual fish differ, so treat this as a starting point.

    Take care (7)

    • Maroon clownfishMaroon clownfish is aggressive and may bully the yellow watchman goby, especially if the bully is added first.
    • Orange spotted gobyBoth are prawn gobys that use the same burrows; give each its own area.
    • Hi-fin red banded gobyBoth are prawn gobys that use the same burrows; give each its own area.
    • Gold head sleeper gobyBoth dig or guard burrows in the sand; give each enough sand and rock to claim its own.
    • Humbug damselHumbug damsel is aggressive and may bully the yellow watchman goby, especially if the bully is added first.
    • Powder blue tangPowder blue tang is aggressive and may bully the yellow watchman goby, especially if the bully is added first.
    • Yellowhead jawfishBoth dig or guard burrows in the sand; give each enough sand and rock to claim its own.
    Usually fine together (52)

    Invertebrates

    Only the invertebrates with a known risk are listed.

    Take care (6)

    • Skunk cleaner shrimpYellow watchman goby may eat very small shrimp; adult skunk cleaner shrimps are usually safe.
    • Peppermint shrimpYellow watchman goby may eat very small shrimp; adult peppermint shrimps are usually safe.
    • Camel shrimpYellow watchman goby may eat very small shrimp; adult camel shrimps are usually safe.
    • Tiger tail sea cucumberA stressed or dead tiger tail sea cucumber can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.
    • Sea appleA stressed or dead sea apple can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.
    • Harlequin shrimpYellow watchman goby may eat very small shrimp; adult harlequin shrimps are usually safe.

    Corals and anemones

    Only the corals and anemones with a known risk are listed.

    Take care (1)

    These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.

    Quarantine and health

    Standard.

    New fish are the most common way disease gets into a reef tank. Quarantine every fish in a separate tank before it joins the display, and choose a method that suits its tolerance of copper.

    Captive-bred or wild?

    Some captive-bred supply exists; much stock is wild.

    What does it cost in the UK?

    £34; £55 with shrimp. This is one UK retailer’s listing on 21 October 2026, not a market average, and every item was sold out on that day.

    Sources

    1. LiveAquaria (US retailer) care sheetRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: stats.
    2. FishBase species summaryRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: max length, IUCN.
    3. Kraken Corals (UK retailer) catalogueRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: UK price.
    4. Kraken Corals (UK retailer) catalogueRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: duo price.

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    Neon goby

    Elacatinus oceanops

    Good first fish

    Care
    Beginner
    Adult size
    5 cm
    Tank from
    38 litres
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Corals
    Reef safe

    Photo Jmk7, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Yellow clown goby

    Gobiodon okinawae

    Care
    Beginner
    Adult size
    4 cm
    Tank from
    38 litres
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Corals
    Reef safe with caution

    Photo Jenny, CC BY 2.0

    Orange spotted goby

    Amblyeleotris guttata

    Care
    Beginner
    Adult size
    9 cm
    Tank from
    38 litres
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Corals
    Reef safe with caution

    Photo Sushi Girl1995, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Hi-fin red banded goby

    Stonogobiops nematodes

    Care
    Intermediate
    Adult size
    5 cm
    Tank from
    38 litres
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Corals
    Reef safe

    Photo Sammydee, CC BY-SA 3.0