False Yellow Watchman Goby W/Tiger Pistol Shrimp – Phillippines

Cryptocentrus cinctus w/Alpheus bellulus

The False Yellow Watchman Goby and Tiger Pistol Shrimp share a fascinating symbiotic relationship. The shrimp, an excellent digger with poor eyesight, builds and maintains a burrow, while the goby, with its sharp vision but limited digging ability, stands guard, warning the shrimp of approaching danger. The False Yellow Watchman Goby is primarily yellow with tiny white to pale blue spots, while the Tiger Pistol Shrimp ranges from yellow to a light brown mottled pattern. Together, they thrive in aquariums with deep sand beds and solid rockwork that provide plenty of hiding spots like cracks and caves. A tight-fitting lid is recommended, as the goby may jump. Generally peaceful and reef-safe, they are a great addition to community tanks, though caution is advised around small invertebrates, which the goby may occasionally nip at. This duo is carnivorous and should be fed a varied diet of enriched meaty foods—such as mysis shrimp, squid, clams, fish, or specialized carnivore blends—at least twice a day to stay healthy. They can grow up to 4 inches and require a minimum tank size of 30 gallons. Native to the Indo-West Pacific—from Japan and Singapore to the southern Great Barrier Reef—they inhabit sandy lagoons and coastal bays at depths of up to 85 feet.