Yellow Shrimpgoby, Cryptocentrus cinctus (Herre, 1936)

Scientific name: Cryptocentrus cinctus
Yellow Shrimpgoby, <i>Cryptocentrus cinctus</i> Click to enlarge image
A Yellow Shrimpgoby, Cryptocentrus cinctus, at a depth of 6m, Restorf Island reef, Kimbe Bay, New Britain, Papua New Guinea, October 2008. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Cryptocentrus
    Species
    cinctus
    Family
    Gobiidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    7.5 cm

Introduction

As its name implies the species is sometimes yellow in colour, but it is commonly seen in other colour forms. It is often seen by divers as it keeps a lookout at the entrance of its burrow that it shares with one or more alpheid shrimps.

Identification

The species has spotted fins and a dark stripe above the upper lip. It is known to have an number of colour forms ranging from whitish to dark like the fish in the movie. The yellow colour form is not the most common so the standard name is not ideal.

Distribution

It occurs throughout the Western Pacific. In Australia it is known from Western Australia and Queensland.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.