The yellow shrimp goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) is a small marine fish that lives in shallow lagoons and sheltered coastal bays of the western Indo-Pacific. It inhabits sandy bottoms and shares a burrow with a burrowing shrimp, using the same shelter.

The yellow shrimp goby is best known for its bright yellow coloration, although some individuals may be whitish. In both color forms, it generally has four to five dark bands, which may be faint or barely visible in yellow individuals, as well as small pale blue or white spots on the head, back, and fins.

The yellow shrimp goby has an elongated body and can reach a maximum length of about 4 inches. Its coloration ranges from bright yellow to off-white, and its body generally has four to five dark bands, which may be faint or barely visible in yellow individuals, as well as small pale blue or white spots on the head, back, and fins.

Its brown snout and the thin dark line along the upper jaw are also distinctive features. Its pelvic fins are joined to form a disk-like structure that helps it stay in place on the bottom.

The yellow shrimp goby inhabits tropical waters of the western Pacific, from the Yaeyama Islands in southwestern Japan to Singapore and the southern Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It is also found in the Philippines, Palau, and several islands in Micronesia.

The yellow shrimp goby lives on sandy bottoms in shallow lagoons and sheltered coastal bays, at depths of 33 to 82 feet.

The yellow shrimp goby occupies a burrow dug into the sand with a burrowing shrimp from the family Alpheidae. The burrow provides shelter for both partners. The goby often stays near the entrance, while the shrimp maintains and excavates the tunnel. This association is particularly remarkable given how different these animals are in appearance and locomotion.

The yellow shrimp goby feeds on small marine animals found near its burrow, including small crustaceans, marine worms, and other invertebrates living in the sand. It may also consume tiny organisms in the water, such as zooplankton.

The yellow shrimp goby is an egg-laying fish. Observations made in captivity in 2015 showed that its adhesive eggs are deposited on a surface inside a shelter, and that the male generally guards the clutch until hatching. In 2021, researchers also studied the embryonic development of this species in a hatchery.