Harlequin Prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus)
The Harlequin Prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Red Sea Shrimpgoby, Blue-speckled Prawn-goby, Blue-spotted Shrimpgoby, or Harlequin Shrimpgoby is found in Indo-Pacific waters from East Africa to the Marianas and north to southern Japan. Relatively recently, it has entered the Mediterranean Sea where large populations have been observed along the coast of Israel.
Before Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus was recorded in the Mediterranean; the Harlequin Prawn-goby was restricted to the Red Sea where they occur on the open coarse sandy bottoms of clear water reefs in close association with alpheid (pistol) shrimps.
The Harlequin Prawn-goby is a peaceful, solitary species that inhabits the shallow clear water lagoons and coastal bays of their range. Although they are most abundant in shallow water areas around runoffs, they have been observed at depths from 3 to over 95 feet where they feed on benthic invertebrate.
Harlequin Prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus)
The Harlequin Prawn-goby has a yellow, to tan, to grayish brown body color covered with irregular shaped greenish brown bars with narrow pale white spaces in between and large black spots along the sides in a mid-lateral row. The head has large pink spots surrounded by blue rings and both the head and body are covered with blue dots.
Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus have a frenum and united pelvioc fins.
The Harlequin Prawn-goby is best housed in a 30 gallon or larger reef or FOWLR aquarium with a coarse coralline sand substrate and plenty of loose coral rubble and live rock for them to burrow and hide among, and plenty of swimming space. A tight fitting cover is recommended to prevent them from jumping out of the tank.
The Harlequin Prawn-goby is seldom aggressive towards other fish species but it is territorial and will fight with conspecifics unless they are a mated pair. Although considered reef safe, they may become aggressive towards small ornamental shrimp.
The Harlequin Prawn-goby will form a symbiotic relationship with Tiger Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus bellulus) in the aquarium. The shrimp have limited eye sight and need the goby to alert them of predators. Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus stay close to the shrimp and warns it whenever predators come close to the burrow that they both share.
The Harlequin Prawn-goby has not been successfully bred in an aquarium environment. In the wild, mating takes place near the main burrow where the eggs are laid and guarded by the male. The eggs hatch at night and the larvae exit the burrow to become planktonic.
In an aquarium environment, mated pairs will breed readily and frequently.
After a short incubation period, the tiny larvae hatch out and can be reared similar to those of the Blue-speckled prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus).
In their natural environment, Harlequin Prawn-goby feed on benthic invertebrates and prey suspended in the water column. In an aquarium environment they should be fed a diet of meaty foods including Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and chopped table shrimp at least three times per day.
The Harlequin Prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus) is occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as pre-ordered wild caught specimens from a few online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers. Current prices vary from around $86.50 for small specimens to $152.50 for large.
Harlequin Prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus)
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 71.6 °F – 82.4 °F , dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 5″
Color Form: Blue, Brown, Red
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Western Pacific, Indian Ocean
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate
