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Pinkspotted Shrimp Goby


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Cryptocentrus leptocephalus - Bleeker, 1876
Pinkspotted Shrimp Goby


Living in commensal relationships with snapping or "pistol" shrimps, the shrimp gobies make fascinating aquarium specimens. Scott W. Michael


[edit] Overview


This stunning shrimp goby is a fascinating addition to the home aquarium, especially if you can acquire its shrimp partner as well. It is easy to feed and keep, and usually adapts well to aquarium life.
The goby and shrimp are reported by some observers to team up for life, and it is always a shame to see them separated. A lone shrimp goby can be housed with an alpheid "snapping shrimp" species, such as the common Tiger Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus bellulus), they may form a bond and share a burrow.
Note that this is one of the larger and more aggressive shrimp gobies (members of the genera Amblyeleotris, Cryptocentrus, Ctenogobiops, and Stonogobiops.) Adults may attack other shrimp gobies and even smaller, unrelated fishes, such as assessors and wrasses. This is usually most acute in smaller systems. If housing more than one of this species when they are of undetermined sex, the tank should be large, at least 125 gallons (475 L).
For nano aquariums, the Orangespotted Shrimp Goby offers the same behaviors in a smaller size.

Family: Gobiidae


Other common name(s):

• Singapore Shrimp Goby
  
• Pinkspotted Watchman Goby
  
• Pink-speckled Prawn Goby
  
• Pink-speckled Shrimp Goby
  

Native range:

• Indian Ocean
  
• Western Pacific
  
• Indonesia
  
• Yaeyama Islands
  
• Australia
  
• Tonga
  
• New Caledonia
  

Habitat: Reef-sand interface. Provide some burrows or holes near the aquarium bottom where this fish can hide if you do not keep it with its burrowing partner shrimp.
Maximum length: 15 cm (6 in)

Minimum aquarium size: 76 L (20 gal)

Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
General swimming level: Bottom.

Feeding
Carnivore. Feed meaty fresh and frozen foods—which will be eaten by both fish and shrimp—at least once a day, preferably twice. Offer finely shredded seafood, Mysis shrimp, enriched frozen Artemia and reef preparations, and even color-enhancing, high-quality flake foods.
Aquarium Compatibility


This is a larger shrimp goby that may occasionally exhibit aggression toward others of its ilk, as well as small, passive fish species. That said, it is not overly belligerent but may not be the best choice for a nano reef with other fishes.
Conspecifics will do battle unless they are male-female pair.
It has been known to eat ornamental shrimps, but is not a threat to other invertebrates.
Breeding/Propagation


Demersal (on or near the bottom) spawners that tend and protect their broods.
Notes


This fish typically rests on the bottom, with its head protruding from a burrow or cave on the floor of the aquarium. It will swim into the water column to feed on floating food particles. It is an able jumper, so keep a top on its tank. Reference: A PocketExpert Guide to Reef Aquarium Fishes