FOTM - Pink Spotted Shrimp Goby - Jan '08

[omard]

Pink Spotted Shrimp Goby

(Cryptocentrus leptocephalus)

"Mr. Grumpy"

The Pink-Spotted Shrimp Goby or Pink-and-Blue-Spotted Goby has a very beautiful coloration of light pink or white with pink spots outlined with light blue. Starting at the dorsal fin there are darker pinkish stripes running vertically towards the tail.

In the ocean, these gobies form a symbiotic relationship with different shrimps and prawns, and so are often scooped up together when being collected!

(Mine lives with a skunk cleaner shrimp - )

Latin Name: Cryptocentrus leptocephalus (several nearly identical species are sold in the trade as pink/blue spotted watchman goby.)

Common Name: Watchman Goby: Pink/Blue Spotted

a.k.a.: Pink Spotted Watchman Goby, Blue Spotted Watchman Goby

Size: Up to 6 inches

Natural Environment: Inhabit silty bottom areas on protected reefs.

Diet and Feeding: Carnivore. Feeds on zooplankton and small bottom-dwelling invertebrates, provide a varied diet that includes frozen preparations for carnivores. Has difficulty competing for food in heavily populated tank. May need target feeding.

Tank Set-up: Marine: Coral or rock, plants, sand

Reef Compatible: Yes

Attitude: ("Grumpy")

Tank Conditions: 72-78ºF; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4

Minimum Tank Capacity: 30 gallon (probably larger for full grown fish)

Light: Medium

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Swimming Level: Bottom

Care Level: Easy

Reproduction: Egg Layer

Characteristics: This attractive goby is gray with pinkish bands on the body and pink spots on the head and fins. There are also small blue spots on the head. It is also one of the more aggressive shrimp-gobies. It is more likely to pose a behavioral problem if space is limited and they are one of the first introductions to the tank. Provide with a plenty of hiding places and a sand bottom. Quite shy except at feeding time. Only comes out in open when feeding, then quickly returns to cover. Mine, at least, has very poor eyesight, so care must be taken that it gets food during feeding frenzy. Likes to build sand piles and keeps close company with my skunk cleaner shrimp. - Might be dangerous with very small shrimp. Oh, and likes to grab passing hermit crabs and drag them back into den. Does not harm them in anyway, just takes them in his "home" -


Distribution Range:

Cryptocentrus leptocephalus distribution map

(Fish Mapper)

References:

MarineDepotLive

Animal-World

MarineCenter

Davis Family Reef Log: Spotted Shrimp Goby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus)

More Pics

[Camilsky]

Great info! Thanks Scott! All the best in 2008!

[omard]

Thanks Cam...

Great fish. Have had since get go...is a great character with lots of personality...

[aquaboy]

Very pretty! Wish i had one, but im almost overstocked, so maybe when one of my fish "go", which i hope is not anytime soon.

[omard]

Originally Posted by aquaboy

Very pretty! Wish i had one, but im almost overstocked, so maybe when one of my fish "go", which i hope is not anytime soon.

(I hope not either)

Yep, best wait. This guy gets pretty large and could have significant effect on bio-load in smaller tank.

[baugherb]

Awesome article about a awesome looking fish....

[omard]

Yes, a long time tank favorite. Have had since first starting hobby. (2002)

Has tripled in size since I first got him.

A great sand sifter and stirrer also.

Great addition to any good sized tank.