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Pinkspotted shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus cryptocentrus) — Gobiidae

Pinkspotted shrimpgoby

Cryptocentrus cryptocentrus
Family: Gobiidae

The Pinkspotted shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus cryptocentrus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa, Egypt, Chagos Is., Cargados Carajos and others

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Description

The Pinkspotted shrimpgoby is a goby (Gobiidae) from clear sand and rubble water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a slender, pale body with colourful bars or spots. It lives in a striking partnership with a near-blind pistol shrimp: the shrimp digs and maintains a shared burrow while the sharp-eyed goby guards the entrance and warns of danger. It snaps at passing zooplankton and small crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pinkspotted shrimpgoby?

The Pinkspotted shrimpgoby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Pinkspotted shrimpgoby live?

The Pinkspotted shrimpgoby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa, Egypt, Chagos Is., Cargados Carajos and others

How big does the Pinkspotted shrimpgoby get?

The Pinkspotted shrimpgoby grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Pinkspotted shrimpgoby dangerous to humans?

No, the Pinkspotted shrimpgoby is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Pinkspotted shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus cryptocentrus) — Gobiidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Pinkspotted shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus cryptocentrus) — Gobiidae — 3
Etienne Guitton (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Pinkspotted shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus cryptocentrus) — Gobiidae — 4
martind (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Pinkspotted shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus cryptocentrus) — Gobiidae — 5
Etienne Guitton (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist

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All data

Identification

English name
Pinkspotted shrimpgoby sourced
Scientific name
Cryptocentrus cryptocentrus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Ninebar prawn-goby; Eightbar goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Africa: Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa, Egypt, Chagos Is., Cargados Carajos and others sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cryptocentrus

More from the family Gobiidae

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