Yellow Watchman Goby
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Known Names: Yellow Watchman Goby, Yellow Watchman Prawn, Yellow shrimp Goby, Banded Prawn Goby,
Scientific Name: Cryptocentrus cinctus
Yellow Watchman Gobies are one of the more popular Shrimp Gobies offered in the pet trade. They seem to be very resistant to most saltwater fish disease in the marine aquarium. They are found wild in many habitats between Singapore and Micronesia. Yellow Watchman Gobies form a mutual symbiotic relationship with some Pistol Shrimp. The name “Watchman” comes from their behavior in the wild, where they act as watchmen for the shrimp.
Minimum Tank Size: It requires a 10 gallon or larger aquarium with plenty of loose coral rubble, ample swimming room, and a sand bottom for burrowing.
Feeding and Diet: Yellow Watchman Gobies may be kept on a diet of brine shrimp, large shrimp chopped into bits, and other meaty foods.
Level of Care: Easy
Reef Compatibility: Very good reef or community fish.
Orange Sleeper Goby
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Known Names
Orange Sleeper Goby, Diamond Watchman goby, pretty Prawn Goby, Orange Spotted Diamond, and Orange-dashed
Scientific Name: Valenciennea puellaris
One really good sand cleaner!!
This species is one of the more popular gobies for home aquariums. It is a very timid fish that makes a great addition to the reef tank because of its longevity. This fish will usually dig a burrow underneath a rock in your aquarium, in which it will sleep and hide when frightened. The diamond watchman is beneficial for aquariums since it will oxygenate the sand bed and stir up any waste.
Minimum Tank Size: 29 gallons
Feeding and Diet: It can be fed just about any Marine food, but if you have a large enough Aquariums it will get a lot of its nourishment from the organic matter in the sand bed.
Level of Care: Easy
Reef Compatibility: Very good reef or community fish.
Target Mandarin
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Known Names:
Target Mandarin, Green Mandarin, Psychedelic Mandarin, Picture Dragonet
Scientific Name: Synchiropus picturatus
One of the most dramatically colored saltwater fish, the Target Mandarin Dragonets requires an established reef aquarium for survival. It will feed on tiny invertebrates from the live sand and live rock, and does benefit from additional food supplied by refugiums. This dragonet will also help to prevent brown flatworm infestations, which can be trouble for some reef aquariums. The Psychedelic Mandarin will hover and scoot around your reef aquarium without bothering any corals, clams, or invertebrates. It is best kept with other docile fishes in a community reef aquarium. The Psychedelic Mandarin requires an established reef aquarium with plenty of live copepods to feed on. You can supplement its diet with live copepods. Adding refugiums to your system will also provide a continued source of live food.
This popular fish can do well if provided with the proper environment. Although they will eat aquarium foods, it is simply too large for the tiny mouth of the Mandarin, and it’s about impossible for the owner to supply enough food without the aid of live rock and/or lots of algae growth to provide natural foods. Best not attempted in “sterile” setting such as a fish only tank. Do not keep with aggressive fishes. This species is rarely aggressive towards other bottom-dwelling fishes. Provide with a “live sand” bottom and plenty of hiding places
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons with live rock and a pod population
Feeding and Diet: Although they may live a long time and usually have a great appetite, they may slowly starve to death in unless kept in a tank containing plenty of live rock which can supply natural food. A lush growth of algae (yes, even hair algae) is an ideal setting to culture the tiny pods Mandarin dragonet need to survive
Level of Care: Moderate
Reef Compatibility: Very good reef or community fish.
Blue Mandarin Goby
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Known Names: Mandarin Goby, Blue Mandarin Goby, Mandarin, Psychedelic Mandarin
Scientific Name: Pterosynchiropus splendidus
One of the most dramatically colored saltwater fish, the Target Mandarin Dragonets requires an established reef aquarium for survival. It will feed on tiny invertebrates from the live sand and live rock, and does benefit from additional food supplied by refugiums. This dragonet will also help to prevent brown flatworm infestations, which can be trouble for some reef aquariums. The Psychedelic Mandarin will hover and scoot around your reef aquarium without bothering any corals, clams, or invertebrates. It is best kept with other docile fishes in a community reef aquarium. The Psychedelic Mandarin requires an established reef aquarium with plenty of live copepods to feed on. You can supplement its diet with live copepods. Adding refugiums to your system will also provide a continued source of live food.
This popular fish can do well if provided with the proper environment. Although they will eat aquarium foods, it is simply too large for the tiny mouth of the Mandarin, and it’s about impossible for the owner to supply enough food without the aid of live rock and/or lots of algae growth to provide natural foods. Best not attempted in “sterile” setting such as a fish only tank. Do not keep with aggressive fishes. This species is rarely aggressive towards other bottom-dwelling fishes. Provide with a “live sand” bottom and plenty of hiding places
Dragonets have a thick slimy coating that helps protect them from external parasites. However, should they become infected they are extremely sensitive to copper, metal-based, or formalin-based medications. The best way to treat a dragonet is through environmental controls such as temperature increases and salinity alterations.
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons with live rock and a pod population
Feeding and Diet: Although they may live a long time and usually have a great appetite, they may slowly starve to death in unless kept in a tank containing plenty of live rock which can supply natural