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Yellow prawn-goby ( Cryptocentrus cinctus )

Yellow prawn-goby

A small, colourful goby that shares burrows with shrimps.

Photo: User:Haplochromis, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The yellow prawn-goby is a small marine fish native to the Western Pacific. It lives in coastal bays and lagoons, often sharing burrows with alpheid shrimps. This species is popular in saltwater aquariums due to its vibrant colours and symbiotic behaviour.

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  • Grows to a maximum length of 10 centimetres.
  • Shares burrows with alpheid shrimps in the wild.
  • Found in Western Pacific bays and lagoons.
  • Can be kept in aquariums as small as 75 litres.

What it is

The yellow prawn-goby is a small fish belonging to the goby family. Adults grow to a maximum standard length of ten centimetres. Its appearance varies significantly between individuals. Some display brilliant yellow hues, while others appear gray or brown. Many specimens show combinations of these colours. This variability makes each fish distinct. The body shape is typical for gobies, adapted for life near the seabed. It inhabits shallow coastal waters in the Western Pacific region.

Where it lives

This species is native to the Western Pacific Ocean. It prefers sheltered environments such as coastal bays and lagoons. The fish is found at depths ranging from one to twenty-five metres. These shallow waters provide the sandy or muddy substrates necessary for its lifestyle. The temperature and salinity in these tropical and subtropical zones support its growth. It does not venture into deep ocean waters or freshwater systems.

How it lives

The yellow prawn-goby is best known for its symbiotic relationship with alpheid shrimps. The two species share a burrow in the sediment. The shrimp maintains and digs the tunnel, while the goby acts as a lookout for predators. This partnership allows both animals to survive in exposed areas. In the wild, they stay close to their shared home. The fish relies on the shrimp for shelter and the shrimp relies on the fish for warning signals.

Yellow prawn-goby
A drawing made by EveryFish from what this page says. It is a diagram, not a picture of the real fish.

Fish and people

Aquarists frequently keep this species in saltwater tanks. It is valued for its bright colouration and interesting behaviour. The fish can thrive in aquariums as small as twenty gallons, which is approximately seventy-five litres. In the marine hobby, it is often paired with tiger pistol shrimps to recreate its natural symbiotic bond. This pairing provides entertainment for observers as the two species interact within the tank environment.

Questions people ask about Yellow prawn-goby

How big does the yellow prawn-goby get?

This species reaches a maximum standard length of ten centimetres. This small size makes it suitable for relatively compact marine aquarium setups.

What kind of tank mates suit this goby?

It is often partnered with tiger pistol shrimps in captivity. This mimics its natural symbiotic relationship with alpheid shrimps, where they share a burrow.

Where is the yellow prawn-goby found in nature?

It is native to the Western Pacific. You can find it in coastal bays and lagoons at depths between one and twenty-five metres.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Yellow prawn-goby", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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