Clown goby question
Hi!<Hi! MikeD here> I'm inquiring about possibly getting a clown goby for my
tank. I have a 55 gallon tank that is recently set up (we've had it for about 8
weeks or so). It has 4-5 inch deep live sand bed. approximately 30 pounds of
live rock. We have a refugium w/ith some live sand, live rock, and macroalgae
and tons of "bugs" crawling around in there. So far we have added 1 sand
sifting star, 2 Nassarius snails, 1 royal Gramma, 3 blue/green Chromis and 1
cleaner shrimp. All seem to be going very very well. We haven't had any losses
-- we added this live stock slowly after the tank cycled with the LR/LS. We
were thinking of adding one more fish to complete the tank. We like the clown
goby<Nice little fish, and very under-rated for quiet tanks> -- either citrinus
or atrangulatus. We do not have coral, but plenty of little hidey holes in the
live rock -- do you think that would be ok for a clown goby, or do they really
need coral to hide in?<In my estimation, they should do just fine as it sounds
like a perfect set up for them> Also, I'm kind of confused, we were going to
order them online because we can't find them in our local LFS and really aren't
happy with their fish quality anyway, but the site says that they will fight
with their own species and recommends one per tank; however, your website's
article on clown gobies indicates that they will pair off and getting them in
pairs can be a good thing.<The trouble can be in getting a true pair, that is,
one male and one female, as they appear the same> I really really want to do
what is best for the fish, so I'm writing to get your opinion on this before we
actually make any purchase. In your experience, would a clown goby work with
the other fish I have, and would it be best to get 1or 2?<One would definitely
work very well, while with two there's always the chance of conflict, in this
case literally 50/50. I would think there's enough room for one to get away from
the other in a 55 gal. tank, while this probably would be less true in a smaller
tank. With clowns, you have the added advantage of their not being an overly
active fish, increasing the odds of success. There are no absolute guarantees,
but I suspect you'd be just fine.>
Thanks so much for any advice!!!<Hope this helps>
Amy
Cleaner Gobies need not apply! - 8/11/04
Hi, Frank here again. <Hey Frank! Paul here in Utah this week>
I was thinking of getting one more fish that stays small. <Ok> What's your take
on a cleaner/neon goby. <No thanks. These fish rarely do very well long term in
an aquarium setting in my experience. Some people do have luck with them but I
find them to starve over time as they rarely find enough from cleanings and
don't take to frozen foods too well. If you were to try one you could try fresh
live baby brine (Artemia or live rotifers)> Will he get along with my 6-line
wrasse, percula clown, and most importantly my bicolor blenny. <Not likely.> I
know some blennies chase gobies and the cleaner goby is the same shape and style
of fish almost (long and skinny). <Very true. This has been reported to me as an
issue> Will the cleaner goby's cleaning ability make him recognized and safe by
my other fish and the bicolor blenny, or is he doomed. <Likely doomed> Would a
blenny nip cause the goby to hide and keep his distance or are they wimps, would
the goby just take abuse and eventually die? <Depends on the personality of the
goby. I would say that there is a chance it never even tries to clean any of
your fish and just starve to death.> My tank is 25 gal, 30x12x14 inches. I know
all fish are territorial to some extent, but stocking capacity aside, would the
cleaner goby be ok and would any niche that he might have be able to co-exist
with the others. <Not likely, in my experience. I would try a Citron Goby or
sometimes referred to as the clown goby. More of a bottom dweller. The Gobiodon
atrangulatus grows up to 1.5 inches. The small size will come to you generally 1
to 1½ inches; the medium generally 1½ to 2½ inches; the large generally 2½ to 4
inches. The Clown Goby, Green prefers a tank of at least 20 gallons with plenty
of places to hide & swim. The Gobiodon atrangulatus is a carnivore and likes to
eat brine & Mysid shrimp and other meaty treats. The Clown Goby is a low
maintenance fish and may act peacefully toward other fish. Able to breed.
Reef-safe. Seems to get chased a lot by the Pseudochromis. Keep the water
quality high (SG 1.020 - 1.025, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Temp. 72 - 78° F). Good luck to
you! ~Paul>
Thank you now and for all the past advice,
Frank
Just one more....How about a Clown Goby (8/8/04)
Hi, Frank here again. <Leslie here this time>
This is related to one of my previous questions. According to previously read
advice read, all over this amazing web site I would have to say you would
condone a 25 gal tank with one small perk clown, small 6-line wrasse and a
bicolor blenny. My question is if I really had to add one more fish, could I
possibly add a tiny clown goby because I read they can max out a 1.5 inches.
<Had to eh? You would not be twisting your own arm now would you? Those are all
pretty small fish, so I suppose if you absolutely had to add just one more fish
you could but the little goby is not the best choice. Bicolor blennies are known
for picking on gobies and Firefish. >
Can you tell me how this would affect bi-load, living and feeding niche as
compared to my current fish, and are they jumpers like those long skinny gobies,
and are they pod eaters or do they accept the usual food like flakes and brine
and Mysis?
< Here is some info on the Clown Gobies.......
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/gobiodon.htm
I don't think it would have a huge impact on your bioload. They are reported in
the literature as fairly easy to keep and quite charming. I personally have
found them difficult to feed and have had poor luck with them. I would not
recommend them. The literature says they will accept meaty foods and can be fed
once a day in a tank with live substrate, more often without. They are not
dependent on pods as are many other fish. I do not think they are jumpers but
your bicolor blenny is certainly capable so you should have a covered tank.
If you have to have an additional fish a better option would an Assessor There
are 2 species commonly seen in the aquarium trade one yellow and one blue. They
are very interesting and hardy little fish. ...here is a link to an excellent
article
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-04/hcs3/index.htm>
Thank you very much? I'll be back, lol. Frank
Your welcome and we will look forward to it, Leslie.
Not researching your citron goby before purchase - 1/19/05
Thanks, I know I should have researched first, but couldn't resist him!
<Actually, believe it or not, these are sometimes hard to get in good condition
at times. They can sometimes be a bit rare. I understand seeing it and wanting
it. Be careful though. Enjoy you clown goby. Do read and research before
purchasing the future to save your livestock and you some money and effort.
Thanks for being part of it all!! ~Paul>
Citron goby care - 1/18/05
Hi guys. Craig here from NZ. <Hey Craig> I have just obtained a cute little
Yellow clown goby and he seems fine hiding in a cave. <Not abnormal> I think he
is being careful as I have other fish in my small reef system. <Well, depending
on the fish he might have reason to hide, eh? Do posses a noxious body slime so
likely will be fine in time> At this stage I have no Acro's and am wondering if
this will prove to be a problem. <Well, shouldn't be a problem but a more
natural environment is always a good idea.>
Are they hardy and easily fed? <Uh oh, Craig. You purchased an animal without
researching it first? Shame. Well, these guys have spunk! please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/gobiodon.htm>
When do they usually feed? <they tend to feed throughout the day. with no
particular feeding time>
I have fed him flaked Spirulina through a syringe but he didn't seem interested.
<Not likely going to eat Spirulina. I would try a food source made for
omnivorous feeders and or frozen or live Mysid shrimp. Cyclops-eeze is also
something to try. Mix it in saltwater and use a baster to slowly add the food.>
What do you think? <I really like these fish and can be hardy with a stress free
environment (read....fish that won't harass them to death) quality marine foods,
and good water quality. Hey, that is pretty much what all aquarium specimens
need. Go figure! Teehee! =) Thanks for being part of it all and such a good
sport! ~Paul>
Cheers
Craig
Clown Goby Pairs - 10/02/05
Hi guys, We have a 180g reef. Current inhabitants = mated false
Perculas,
mated watchman gobies (with pistol)<<neat!>>, 1 six-line wrasse, 1 common
Firefish. Future stocking plan = above, plus clown gobies, bicolor blenny,
royal Gramma and maybe a tang or a reef-safe butterfly. Our next purchase is
the clown gobies. My question is how many is doable...? Ideally, we'd like to
get two yellow clowns, two citrons, and two greens. Is this permissible?
<<I would say so, yes.>>
Or should we cut it back to 4?
<<Six of these little guys should be fine.>>
Just wanted some input. Oh, and would it be preferable to introduce them all at
once, or two by two?
<<I would do "all at once.">>
Thanks again for your help & great site!
John
<<A word of caution John... I have heard others tell, as well as witnessed
first-hand, clown gobies nipping at/irritating Acropora corals to the point they
don't express their polyps and eventually decline. I've also seen bicolor
blennies nip/eat on soft corals such as colt coral (yuck!). I don't know what
you have in your tank, and this doesn't mean you'll experience the same, just be
sure to keep an eye on things if you add these critters <G>. Regards, EricR>>
Stocking 35 gallon, Gobiodon - 1/30/2006
Hello I would not usually trouble you with a question as I use the search
and know that if you look most have been answered before but..
I have a 35 gallon tank that is 6 months old and have
1 tibicen angel
<This tank size/shape is too small for this fish>
1 tomato clown (small) and a BTA 6 inch diameter
1 watchman goby and Alpheus shrimp
1 green clown goby
2 cleaner shrimp
2 camel shrimp
A Fromia star
10 snails assorted
Star polyps
Brain coral
Leather coral (soon to be donated to my friend)
Some mushrooms and Ricordea
20 kg of LR
150 watts of 50/50 pc lighting
A prism skimmer that works!!!
<Heee!>
Amm 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 3ppm
Calc 500
<Too high...>
Ph 8.3
Alk high on Red sea test kit
Can I get 1 more Gobiodon rivulatus to make a pair or am I too heavily
stocked?
<I would not place two Gobiodons in this system or one of less than two-three
times this size, surface area. Bob Fenner>
I am very diligent in my testing and checks and change 10% water a week
with I.O. salt mix
