Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus)
The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Pink and Blue Shrimpgoby, Pink and Blue Spotted Goby, Singapore Shrimp Goby, Leptocephalus Prawn, Pinkspotted Shrimp Goby, Blue Prawn Goby, Pink Spotted Watchman Goby, or Leptocephalus Goby is native to the Western Pacific Ocean.
Its range extends from Indonesia to New Caledonia, north to the Yaeyama Islands, and south to northwestern Australia. More recently, specimens from Tonga have been confirmed.
The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby can be found on silty, sand and rubble bottoms and the sandy mud bottoms of the mangrove swamps, lagoons, coastal reefs, tide pools and inner reef flats of their range, at depths to 32 feet. Solitary individuals have been encountered in symbiotic relationships with Pistol Shrimp at depths to almost 60 feet.
Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus)
The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby has a yellow, to tan, to brownish green body color that becomes almost white towards the vent and 6 to 7 diffused brownish vertical bars along the sides. The head, back, and dorsal fins are adorned with pale-edged pink to red spots and smaller white spots surrounded by smaller blue spots. The first dorsal fin has blue edged pink, to orangish brown spots and the pectoral, fused pelvic, rear dorsal and rounded caudal fins are clear. Males and females share similar physical characteristics and are virtually indistinguishable.
Juveniles Cryptocentrus leptocephalus have subtle pink and blue colors that intensify as they mature.
The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby is best housed in a well established reef or FOWLR aquarium of at least 40 gallon capacity with a deep coralline sand substrate mixed with small pieces of broken up shells and corals for them to burrow in; lots of mature live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs, and plenty of free swimming space.
Cryptocentrus leptocephalus thrive with plenty of live rock, a mixed sandy substrate, moderate water flow, and a tightly sealed lid to prevent them from exiting the tank.
The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby is not aggressive but can be territorial with members of its own species in smaller tanks. They spend much of their time burrowing into the substrate and collecting food in the water column.
Compatible tank mates for the Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby include Firefish, Cardinalfish, Dartfish, Basslets, Clownfish, and Damselfish.
Cryptocentrus leptocephalus are frequently housed with Pistol Shrimp of the Alpheus genus. Three common types of pistol shrimp that pair readily with gobies are the Fine Striped, Tiger, and Candy Cane pistol shrimp.
When keeping the Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby with Pistol Shrimp, it is important to provide a deep sand bed of at least three inches mixed with plenty of broken shells and crushed coral of various sizes for the shrimp to have sufficient building material to dig a stable burrow.
The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby will breed in an aquarium environment but the planktonic larvae are difficult to raise into adulthood. Recent advancements have made Pink-speckled Shrimpgobies increasingly available through aquaculture.
In their natural environment, the Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby feeds on benthic organisms, small crustaceans, tiny invertebrates, and planktonic matter in the water column that passes by their burrows. In an aquarium environment, they do well on a varied diet consisting of high quality marine pellets, frozen foods, Mysis shrimp, and live brine shrimp. Several daily feeding is recommended to ensure their health.
The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus) is available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as pre-ordered wild caught specimens from online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers or as aquacultured specimens. Prices for small 3.5″ specimens range from $48.99 to $62.99.
Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus)
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-80° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max size: 4.7″
Color Form: Blue, Red, Tan, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Western Pacific, Indian Ocean
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate
