Description

Body design

A fairly large goby, around 10. 5 cm in length, variable in colour ranging from yellow to mainly dark brown

Body design

In the commoner brown form, the body is pale with four dark circular patches which are often obscured by dark brown bands running through them. There are two brown spots behind the mouth and a further pair on the gill cover. There is a patch on the base of the pectoral fin. The top of the head is dark brown. This colour is extended along the back with six evenly spaced white transverse saddles. 

The yellow form may have the same markings on a golden background, or the face and body may be unmarked gold depending on the amount of pigment present. 

Fin design

The fin design is the same for both colour morphs. The first dorsal fin has four dark arcs on a pale background and a blue margin. The second dorsal fin has four rows of blue dots running along its length. The pelvic fin is yellow-brown with a distinctive series of blue-highlighted dark-brown arcs. The anal fin is yellow-brown proximally, becoming translucent with blue highlights on the rays. The caudal fin has the same colour pattern as the anal fin in the lower half and is barred in blue and purple in the upper half. The anal fin and tail fin have radiating blue lines. In the yellow form, this is against a yellow background, but in the brown form, the background is black. 

Diagnostic features

The brilliant bars on the pelvic fin are the most striking feature. When these are not visible the four cheek spots are a good feature. 

Similar species

Cryptocentrus sericus can be distinguished from all similar Shrimpgobies by the barred pelvic fin. 

Some brown varieties may resemble Cryptocentrus strigilliceps, but the Ventral Barred Shrimpgobies are seen in more open conditions. 

The yellow form is distinguished from the yellow Cryptocentrus cinctus by having arcs, not spots, on the first dorsal fin and a spotted pelvic fin. 

C fasciatus also has brown and yellow forms. They differ in the dorsal fin pattern.