Pink-Spotted Shrimp Goby

Pink-and-Blue-Spotted Goby

Family: Gobiidae Picture of a Pink-Spotted Shrimp Goby or Pink-and-Blue-Spotted Goby, Cryptocentrus leptocephalusCryptocentrus leptocephalus
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I'm pretty sure my pink spotted goby ate my pistol shrimp and my cleaner shrimp and one of my hermit crabs and he hides under my Rock all day  Jared

   This alert little fish is a great addition to a reef setup. The Pink-Spotted Shrimp Goby or Pink-and-Blue-Spotted Goby are very easy to keep!

   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!

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium


  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Actinopterygii
  • Order: Perciformes
  • Family: Gobiidae
  • Genus: Cryptocentrus
  • Species: leptocephalus
Pink Spotted "Luther" Goby / Tiger Pistol Shrimp PAIR Pink-Speckled Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus)
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Pink-Speckled Shrimpgoby and Tiger Pistol Shrimp in captivity

This lengthy video is perfect, because it shows the Pink-Speckled Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus), and the Alpheus shrimp (Tiger Pistol Shrimp) doing what they do best. At one point the shrimp hides as the goby checks out a clown fish that is getting to close. Not until the goby returns does the shrimp come back out and start to excavate again! They can be housed as a pair in a tank as small as 20 gallons, however if other fish are wanted, then 40 gallons would be needed. Adding two species from this genus, Cryptocentrus, can be done in a tank that is at least 4' long, with lots of hiding places and if both are the same size and added at the same time. Since these gobies are seen alone in the wild, and not paired up as males and females, it may be best not to attempt this in captivity unless the tank is very large. These gobies only live a few years and grow to just under 5."

Pink Spotted Goby, Pink-Speckled Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus)
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Pink-Speckled Shrimpgoby eating a small hermit crab!

This video shows what kinds of tankmates will become dinner for your Pink Speckled Shrimpgoby! Small hermit crabs and small shrimp like sexy shrimp are in danger. These fish grow to 4.7" and do great in a semi-aggressive tank. Aggressive fish are too much for them. If housing with an Alpheus sp. shrimp, try the Tiger Shrimp and make sure there aren't any other fish or creatures that will harm this blind shrimp! Had to laugh thinking about what that big hermit crab at 1:42 was thinking.... "little bobbie, where are you?" as little Bobbie hangs out of the goby's mouth!

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Maintenance difficulty:    ThPink-Spotted Shrimp Goby or Pink-and-Blue-Spotted Goby is easy to keep. They are ideal for a reef environment. Provide plenty of caves and hiding places.

Maintenance/Foods:    This fish is a typical goby eating small crustaceans and other small marine organisms. Live brine is ideal for the aquarium.

Habitat: Natural geographic location:    Pink-Spotted Shrimp Goby or Pink-and-Blue-Spotted Goby are found throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Social Behaviors:    Typical goby behavior, they are peaceful with other fish and only come out to eat.

Sex: Sexual differences:   We have found no information although most male gobies have a longer dorsal fin.

Breeding/Reproduction:    We have found no information at this time (8/7/03).

Light: Recommended light levels:    No special requirements.

Temperature:    No special requirements. Normal temperatures for marine fish is between 74 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit.

Length/Diameter of fish:    Pink-Spotted Shrimp Goby or Pink-and-Blue-Spotted Goby adults can grow to 10.0 cm (4 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:    A minimum 20 gallon aquarium is recommended.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong    No special requirements.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom    Usually spends most of its' time on rockwork or live rock near the bottom. A bottom dweller.

Availability:    This fish is rarely available and is moderately expensive.

Author: David Brough. CFS.
Lastest Animal Stories on Pink-Spotted Shrimp Goby


Jared - 2017-05-03
I'm pretty sure my pink spotted goby ate my pistol shrimp and my cleaner shrimp and one of my hermit crabs and he hides under my Rock all day

Reply
Josh - 2008-11-13
My Pink Spotted Shrimp Goby lets itself get clean by my Cleaner shrimp, they are best buddies.

  • Rick Irwin - 2016-02-16
    My Pink-Spot gets it's mouth cleaned a couple times a day (that I see) by my Cleaner Shrimp.
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Tollie - 2007-10-29
Be careful with keeping arrow crabs around this goby; they might get eaten.

Reply
Rachel Dixon - 2004-04-14
My pink-spot goby is a fantastic character. once,when i fed him and the rest of my fish with a cube of frozen brine shrimp,he leaped up and grabbbed nearly all of the food in his huge mouth. He was chewing on it for the rest of the day! He is now such a lovely and striking fish!

Reply