Yellow watchman goby (cryptocentrus cinctus) a jumper?

Ricimer

Ricimer

New member
Hi!

I would like to know your experiences with Yellow watchman goby (cryptocentrus cinctus) in an open-top reef tank. I have read some places that it was prone to jump out of a tank and other sources say the opposite. He would be without a pistol shrimp but in a very peacefull system.

BTW what is the adult size? Again I've got contradictory info about that. Most state 3" but some say 5". And can it pose a treath to sexy shrimps?

Lastly, does somebody know if these fishes are found without a pistol shrimp in nature or are they always in association with these crustaceans?

Thanks!

Ricimer
 
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Mine never went more than 4" off the sandbed. Adult size would be 3-5". Will be fine with sexy shrimp. Should make a perfect companion for your pistol shirmp.
 
Cool ! Good to hear ! No pistol shrimp for me. These shrimps I have been told they can kill other shrimps. So the yellow watchman goby will be alone. 3" to 5"? Does it depend on wether it's a male or female?
 
Huh. I hadn't ever heard that before. I had mine over a year and never, not once did it even venture halfway up the tank.

Another thing you might consider, you will rarely see this fish. It will find a cave and stay there, peering out occasionally. But if there is movement in front of the tank it will bolt right back into its cave.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7152082#post7152082 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by impur
Huh. I hadn't ever heard that before. I had mine over a year and never, not once did it even venture halfway up the tank.

Another thing you might consider, you will rarely see this fish. It will find a cave and stay there, peering out occasionally. But if there is movement in front of the tank it will bolt right back into its cave.
Click to expand...

I did hear some persons saying it jumps. I would think then that it really depends on the set up (peacefull or agressive tankmates, a lot of LR and hiding places). I see no other explanation for such opposite opinions.

For the fish hiding a lot I dont mind. It's ok when you have fishes that swim in the open and some that are more cryptic. Good diversity ni the tank.
 
Ive noticed that watchman gobies are more active and not so shy if you keep them with a pistol shrimp.

As for jumping, Ive had mine for almost a year, never had a problem. Had a jawfish for one night in the same tank and he jumped.
 
a couple of monthÃ"šÃ‚´s ago a bought a pair of YWG, the bigger of the two jumped out within the first week..... I tried adding one more, but the same result.... Then a fex weeks ago I couldnÃ"šÃ‚´t resist another beutiful big YWG and that one is still in the tank. It seems like the two get along fine but havenÃ"šÃ‚´t decided to pair up just yet.
I havenÃ"šÃ‚´t seen any of the YWG more than 5inces from the bottom in the day, but I think that the in the night swims along the tank glas and when the get close to my Streams the freak and jump. My tank is a 190 with lots of rock and no aggressive tankmates.
 
They can be a potential jumper when they get stressed out or chased by another dominant bottom feeder. When I work in the store there was one time I opened up the cover of the tank and saw a goby sitting on top of the tank (on the black trim) and stare straight into my eyes, we both paused for a second and the fish plunged back into the tank.
 
Ok, so it will be the only "sandy-bottom" fish in my already peacefull system. I will cover with eggcrate for about 10 days after getting it and cross my fingers. I will give it a single try. If there is a jump, I wont ever try them again.
One thing tough: I've been reading somewhere that they could eat small ornamental shrimps. Argh! That's annoying. Not what I wanted to hear... I care for my herd of sexy shrimps and for my periclimenes. Such a small fish (3"), I am surprised and skeptical. What do you think about it!?
 
They will eat anything that can fit in their mouth, and they have fairly large mouths. I doubt they will eat an adult shrimp.
Paul
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7185961#post7185961 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paul B
They will eat anything that can fit in their mouth, and they have fairly large mouths. I doubt they will eat an adult shrimp.
Paul
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Ok. But when you write that you mean an adult sexy shrimp?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7187227#post7187227 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paul B
OK I doubt they will eat an adult sexy shrimp. But I won't guarantee it.
Click to expand...
Yes that's understood. But it's good to hear anyway. Also the sexy shrimps are so fast when they dart away. And they dont tend to hang out on the sandy bottom too much. In the same book they say a twinspot goby can also eat small ornamental shrimp. But in my view, if the yellow watchman is unlikely to do it then even less so a twinspot.
 
Funny thing i have observed. I have a WG. and he will sit in front of his cave and dart out and grab hermit crabs. I took a flashlight and looked in the cave. I found a whole pile of shells in there. He is 5" long.
 
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