Cryptocentrus cinctus (Herre, 1936)
Yellow prawn-goby
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  10 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 25 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Yaeyama Islands, Japan to Singapore and the southern Great Barrier Reef; Palau and Truk in Micronesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Predorsal scales absent. Occurs in two color phases, one yellow and the other with whitish ground color; both forms with 4-5 dusky bars (although faint in yellow fish) and fine pale blue or white spotting on head and anterodorsal part of body and fins. A dark brown streak above maxilla (Ref. 27362); further characterized by: brown snout; presence of thin brown line along edge of upper jaw; united pelvic fins, presence of frenum; longitudinal scale series 92-95; head without scales; greatest depth of body 4.4-4.6 in SL; rounded caudal fin, about equal to head length (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits sandy areas of shallow lagoons and protected coastal bays (Ref. 9710). Lives in a burrow with alpheid shrimps. Found in clear coastal sand slopes and lagoons, usually in depth of 10-25 meters (Ref. 48637).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 27 August 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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