Watchman gobies
or Cryptocentrus
cinctus belong to the family Gobiidae.
This is a large family,
comprised of over 2,000 species in 200 different genera. Members of
this family
are more commonly referred to as gobies. Gobies are one of the most
popular
fish among saltwater aquarium owners. Spotted watchmen are natives of
the
shallow watered regions of the Indo-Pacific. Significant populations
can be
found off the coasts of Australia.
Gobies are small,
bottom
dwelling fish. Even the largest members of the
family Gobiidae
only grows to about a
foot in length. Watchmen are approximately half that size when fully
grown. They
have slender cylindrical shaped bodies with an almost worm-like
appearance. The
spotted watchman is most typically whitish to light gray in color with
spots of
varying size over their entire body. These spots may be pink, reddish
or grey
in color. The spots on their heads are frequently interspersed with
smaller
speckling.
Gobies are best
known for their symbiotic
relationships with
small crustaceans, most especially pistol shrimp.
They frequently
cohabitate
with these shrimp in sand burrows of the shrimp’s making. The
watchman is no
exception. They are given their names for the way in which they stand
guard
over their shared burrows while their roommates scurry about in the
course of
their daily activities. Although not
nearly as adept at digging, gobies will borrow into the sand at night
and to
avoid predation in the absence of a companion shrimp. A sand substrate
is a
prerequisite for owning a goby. They will also require plenty of hiding
place
on the bottom of the aquarium to give them the confidence to stray away
from
their burrows in search of food.
Gobies in general
make
very interesting additions to any community tank or
marine reef setup. It is simply fascinating to watch a fish and a
crustacean
merge in symbiotic harmony. These are benign species who take little
interest
in the affairs transpiring above them as long as their sand laden
kingdom is not
intruded upon. Gobies can be easily mixed with most crustaceans without
any
cause for concern. They do however exhibit territorial aggression
toward other
bottom dwelling fish. This species is among the most aggressive of its
kind.
They take their sentry duty very seriously.
A
mated pair works well together. Avoid having any other bottom dwelling
fish in your aquarium unless it has a large bottom surface area.
Gobies have
much better
eyesight than their six legged counterparts. They
will act as a seeing-eye-dog for their nearly blind companions. The
sensory
appendages on their heads (cirri) add a second level of
security.
They patiently stand guard while the shrimp
busily excavates their burrows. When a predator draws near the watchman
swishes
it tail to alert the shrimp to imminent danger and they both quickly
retreat
into the sanctuary of their earthen abode.
A pistol shrimp
may indeed
dig several burrows around an aquarium until it
creates the perfect one to call home. At the end of a hard days work a
small
rock or clump of sand will be pulled over the burrow opening to conceal
its
presence from nocturnal prowlers.
Both gobies and
their life
partners are carnivores. They can be fed mysis or
vitamin enriched brine shrimp. They will also accept flake food,
pellets and
frozen preparations developed for marine carnivores.
A
precautionary note in goby ownership: Although gobies are
bottom dwellers by nature, they will on occasion indulge in brief
interludes to
the surface of an aquarium. They are accomplished jumpers. They must
only be
housed in a well lidded aquarium for their own protection.
