Tank-bred Cryptocentrus cinctus, commonly known as the Yellow prawn-goby, is a small bottom-dwelling goby. Its body is yellow with very tiny blue spots on its head and fins. But these fish are not only beautiful to watch; they also sift the sand looking for food. This helps keep the sand clean and aerated, though unfortunately, they usually only do this in a small area around their cave. Probably the most special thing about these fish is that they form a relationship with a pistol shrimp (Alpheus randalli, A. bellulus, and A. djiboutensis, for example). This is a symbiotic relationship because both the shrimp and the goby benefit from it. We could fill an entire page about this amazing collaboration, but in short: the shrimp makes and maintains the burrow where the shrimp(s) and goby(ies) live. They even excavate the goby when the tunnel collapses. In return, the goby watches out for predators and warns the shrimp with body signals, thus acting as the (almost blind) shrimp's eyes. They also bring food to the shrimp if none is available close to the burrow.

These fish can be kept alone and do not need the shrimp. They can also be kept as a pair or in our favorite way: a pair of gobies with a pair of shrimp, if you can find that! In terms of food, the gobies are carnivores but are easy to feed with live/frozen food and usually also take flakes and pellets once settled.