Pink Spotted Watchman

Pink Spotted Watchman Goby Overview

• Common Name: Pink Spotted Watchman Goby

• Scientific Name: Cryptocentrus leptocephalus

• Also Known As: Pink-Spotted Shrimp Goby, Leptocephalus Goby

• Family: Gobiidae

• Origin: Indo-Pacific – including Indonesia, Fiji, and the Philippines

• Size: Up to 5 inches (13 cm)

• Lifespan: 5–7 years with proper care

🌈 Appearance

• Body Color: Pale gray to white

• Markings: Scattered pink or reddish spots over the head and body, sometimes with a hint of yellow

• Fins: May show faint color patterns; dorsal fin is often spiny and alert

• Eyes: Set high on the head – typical goby “watchman” look

🏝️ Natural Habitat

• Found in sandy or muddy lagoon areas, typically at the base of coral reefs

• Lives in burrows, often shared with pistol shrimp (Alpheus spp.) in a symbiotic relationship

🐠 Aquarium Care

Tank Requirements:

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons (114 liters) for a single goby

• Substrate: Fine sand — they dig and sift to create burrows

• Aquascape:

  • Provide plenty of rockwork with crevices and caves

  • Open sandy areas are essential

  • Secure loose rocks — gobies may dig under them and cause collapses

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 74–80°F (23–27°C)

• pH: 8.1–8.4

• Salinity: 1.023–1.025

• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm

• Nitrate: <20 ppm preferred

🍽️ Diet

• Feeding Type: Carnivore

• Diet:

  • Frozen mysis and brine shrimp

  • Finely chopped seafood (shrimp, clam, squid)

  • High-quality sinking carnivore pellets

  • Enriched copepods (optional)

• Feeding Frequency: 1–2 times daily

• May sift sand to find food — helps keep substrate clean

🤝 Behavior & Compatibility

• Temperament: Peaceful and shy, especially at first

• Tank Level: Bottom dweller – rarely leaves the sandbed

• Reef Safe: ✅ Yes — will not harm corals or inverts

• Tankmates:

  • Excellent with peaceful community fish

  • Avoid large/aggressive species (e.g., triggers, groupers)

  • Compatible with cleaner shrimp, pistol shrimp, other peaceful gobies

• Shrimp Symbiosis: Can form a bond with a pistol shrimp (e.g., Alpheus randalli) if conditions allow — very interesting to watch!

✅ Pros

• Hardy and beginner-friendly

• Peaceful and reef safe

• Useful for sand-sifting and burrow maintenance

• Can form symbiotic relationships with pistol shrimp

• Unique behavior and personality

❌ Cons

• Can be shy and hide for long periods

• Jumper — must have a tight-fitting lid

• May rearrange substrate and disturb nearby coral frags

• Won’t do well with aggressive tankmates

💡 Tips for Success

• Acclimate slowly — can be sensitive to salinity and pH shifts

• Secure aquascape before introducing

• Avoid other bottom-dwelling gobies in small tanks — may fight over territory

• If adding a pistol shrimp, introduce both together or ensure plenty of hiding places

Summary