How big does Yellow Watchman Goby get?

Yellow Watchman Goby reaches an adult standard length of 7–10 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.

What water does Yellow Watchman Goby need?

24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, 7–12 dGH, 7–9 dKH, specific gravity 1.023–1.026. That is only 3 °C wide, so stability matters more than hitting a particular number.

What is the smallest tank for Yellow Watchman Goby?

At least 60 L, and no shorter than 60 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.

What is Yellow Watchman Goby like to keep?

Temperament: peaceful. Difficulty: beginner. It occupies the bottom and is carnivore. Reef safety is "Reef safe".

Can Yellow Watchman Goby be kept with its most common tank mate?

The checker returns "Can be kept together". Yellow Watchman Goby and Firefish Goby is a well-established pairing. Individual fish still differ; the record says "usually fine", not "guaranteed".

G-01 / 61Marine

Yellow Watchman Goby黄金虾虎

Cryptocentrus cinctus · Gobiidae

Bright yellow goby that shares a burrow with a pistol shrimp in classic symbiosis.

Illustration to come

G-01 / 61 · Yellow Watchman Goby Cryptocentrus cinctus

SpecificationsFish atlas

Name: 黄金虾虎
Scientific name: Cryptocentrus cinctus
Family: Gobiidae
Origin: Western Pacific reefs and sand flats
Adult size: 7–10 cm
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Water level: Bottom
Level: Beginner
Min. tank: 60 L
Min. length: 60 cm
Reef safe: Reef safe

Water requirementsMarine

Temp.24–27 °C

pH8.1–8.4

Salinity1.023–1.026 SG

Alkalinity7–9 dKH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Keeping notes

1Pairs with a pistol shrimp share one burrow: the shrimp digs, the goby watches.
2Needs fine sand and rubble to dig; leave an open sand bed.
3Turns over sand; glue down loose coral frags or they get buried.
4Carnivore on frozen mysis, brine and sinking small pellets.
5Peaceful and reef safe, but small hawkfish will prey on it.

Check a tank mate

Jump straight to the verdict for Yellow Watchman Goby against this one — no need to pick it again.

Frequently asked questions

How big does Yellow Watchman Goby get?: Yellow Watchman Goby reaches an adult standard length of 7–10 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.
What water does Yellow Watchman Goby need?: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, 7–12 dGH, 7–9 dKH, specific gravity 1.023–1.026. That is only 3 °C wide, so stability matters more than hitting a particular number.
What is the smallest tank for Yellow Watchman Goby?: At least 60 L, and no shorter than 60 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.
What is Yellow Watchman Goby like to keep?: Temperament: peaceful. Difficulty: beginner. It occupies the bottom and is carnivore. Reef safety is "Reef safe".
Can Yellow Watchman Goby be kept with its most common tank mate?: The checker returns "Can be kept together". Yellow Watchman Goby and Firefish Goby is a well-established pairing. Individual fish still differ; the record says "usually fine", not "guaranteed".