Sand sifters
I need your opinion on a good sand sifter. I have read some not so encouraging thing about the serpent stars I was looking at eating corals, toppling rock). So I was thinking about getting a goby. I have a 29 gallon with live sand bottom and was wondering for one if all gobies do the same job of sand sifting. I really like the look of the engineer goby, if this is not a suitable sand sifter please advise as to which is a good sifter, and will one be enough?
>>
A good species and one that is not too susceptible to starving in a small volume... One will do.
Bob Fenner

Engineer goby
Hi Bob & Co.,
<Steven Pro this morning.>
I'm considering consolidating some of my smaller tanks into a larger "misfit" tank of critters that aren't going anywhere near my reef, such as an unidentified (small!) frogfish, an overly frisky damsel, and a large coral banded shrimp that got too rough with other inverts. Basically, this is a system for not-quite reef-safe critters that I don't want to give up.
I was thinking about building an extra-deep DSB and adding some engineer gobies (P. leucotaenia). I've always wanted to keep them but was too afraid to risk a cave-in inside the reef. I do have a few questions, though:
1) You (Bob) mentioned that engineer gobies are social animals in TCMA, but could you elaborate more? Do they share tunnel systems, or do they just peacefully coexist in individual burrows?
<I have always seen them sharing a tunnel system, but I have never kept more than two in a tank. I also never purchased mated pairs, just two individuals that ended up sharing with one another.>
2) Are they particularly shy? Can I reasonably expect them to spend some time in the open?
<They tend to not stray too far from their homes.>
3) Any aggression problems with other fishes? I suppose I would be asking too much for them to get along with jawfish... :)
<I never had any problems. If your tank is large enough, 8 or more square feet of bottom surface area, you should be ok.>
Thanks for your insights! Jason
<You are welcome. -Steven Pro>

Convict blenny - read the fine print.  1/16/07
Hi there,
<Hi here? Hi *there*!>
I recently purchased a convict blenny for my 28 gallon reef tank.
<Just one? This is a social animal, enjoying the company of conspecifics.>
I had done a bit of research <?> and decided that one <?> would be a nice addition to my tank, the blenny is currently living happily in my isolation tank.
Is this a good fish for such a small tank?
<Not in my opinion, though you may get different opinions from other crew-members. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/pholodichthyidae.htm >
I currently have 2 percula clownfish, a six line wrasse, various snails/hermit crabs, and a variety of sps and soft corals.
<Mmm... without system specs, I'll go out on a limb and suggest you think of a smaller species.>
When I purchased him I figured that I would need to deepen my sand bed and secure some of the live rock and all would be well. However, I found some information on various reefer sites saying that this is a bad fish for smaller tanks <...> and that they can do quite a bit of damage while tunneling through the sand. I also didn't realize how large they can grow, mine is currently 2.5 - 3" long.
<What did this "research" consist of? Looks good, costs little, gimme gimme? No, seriously. These creatures have no one to care for them other than us. If we don't have the information required to make a serious effort of keeping them happy, then we can't begin the task. Proper selection is a key to happy hobbyists with happy fishes.>
Do you think my reef will be
safe and the blenny will be happy if/when I add him?
<Not in the long-term.>
Also, how quickly do you think he will grow in my tank?
<Depends on food variety, and other factors too numerous to list, but I wouldn't be surprised with a double in size within 6-10 months.>
I'm probably going to upgrade within the next 2 years but I would rather know all the info before I introduce him to my tank.
<...Or before you bring him home?>
thanks,
Colleen
<Keep reading, and don't take me the wrong way, Colleen. I'm just trying to impress on you the need to research before buying. Imagine if we had offspring before we had any formula, diapers etc! Please write with any future Q's you have.
-Graham T.>

Pholidichthys leucotaenia... health   12/13/06
Hello All:
Excuse my terseness, however I am in a bit of a panic. I have the following:
225 micro-reef with several species of corals about 19 fish including clowns (perc & maroon pairs), Tangs, Gobys
and the subject of my problems 5 (now 4 I'm afraid) Pholidichthys leucotaenia (convicts, engineers)
<Ah, yes... one of my fave fish species>
All has been well for 3 and a half years, no deaths and prolific spreading of corals. Water is as close to perfect as it can be. 40 gal changes once a week or so.
Some strange aliment has stricken my convicts. They have splotches of white, deteriorating fins (severe) and clumpy masses around their faces/eyes and a weird kink in their bodies about a fifth of the way on their bodies.
<...!>
NO OTHER FISH HAS ANY SYMPTOMS. None. Parameters are all nil. Maroons, tangs all very likely to have ich are all fine. No new introductions in over 2 years. I am at a loss. I have been extremely fortunate, I know. Hopefully the result of diligence. But now I am lost. Has anyone heard of such a focused ailment?
<Occasionally... yes>
Only 5 out of 20 fish, several much more susceptible than the hardy convicts?
Thanks,
Walter
<Do agree with you re the hardiness of this species... I do suspect that some event with organisms living near the bottom of the tank... Cnidarian/s likely, is at play here... perhaps a spawning even, consumption of reproductive products has led to the present situation. The most I would do is try to bolster the "Gobies" immune systems by soaking their foods in a vitamin/supplement prep. here... and hoping for self-cure otherwise. I don't think moving them to other conditions would be prudent. Bob Fenner>

Sand-Dwelling Gobies and Bare-Bottom Tanks - 07/24/06
Good afternoon.
<<Morning now...>>
I currently have an engineer goby that I have had for about 1 1/2 now in my 120 reef tank.  I have a 4" sand bed in the tank.  I am planning on an upgrade to a 180, but I plan on going Bare Bottom.  I know that the engineer goby burrows in the sand as mine always does, but is this necessary for its life.
<<Ultimately, yes...will likely suffer psychologically without something in which to "engineer">>
So my question is: Can an engineer goby live in a tank with no sand.
<<Not recommended>>
Also, I have a Watchman goby and the same question goes for him.
<<As does the same reply...>>
Thank you.
Joe
<<You're welcome Joe...EricR>>

Engineer Gobies/Blennies... actually Pholodichthyids   2/1/06
     Dear Dr. Fenner,
<Just Bob please, no doctorate>
                I recently ready your article "Convict Blennies, Family Pholidichthyidae," and found it quite interesting. I am currently enrolled in a 3-year science research course, and I want to research convict fish. In your article you referred to "Pholidichthys leucotaenia- the white-striped goby" published in Aquarium Digest Intl. - I have not be successful in locating this reference. Do you know how I can get this article?
<Mmm, perhaps a call out, visit to a local (freshwater) tropical fish society... Some of the folks or the club there will likely have the issue... or a large college library... where the school has a bio./zoo. dept.>
In addition, if you are aware of any other articles or if you know of any current research projects being conducted on these fish I would greatly appreciate your help. Thank you very much.                                                                            Madeline Marens
<Mmm, you might try visiting local public aquariums. Many make use of this species for ornament and to dig about large reef systems on display. Bob Fenner>

Engineer Goby sick??? 12-05-05
Hello,
<Hola>
What a fantastic site you have!
<Thanks>
There is not enough hours in the day to read all of the valuable info you have posted. I am sure happy I came across your site.
<We are glad you did too.>
I have a 60gal with the following:
Coral Beauty
Maroon (gold stripe) Clown
Yellow Head Jaw Fish
Engineer Goby
Chocolate Chip Star
Sea Cucumber
Cleaner Shrimp
A few small hermits and one snail
45+lbs live rock
2 NO bulbs (one blue)
Sump w/protein skimmer
I just did about a 10g water change a week ago, but do not have any test levels.
4-5 days ago I noticed that my engineer Goby had what looks like a cross between a white powdery to a white fuzzy substance on 75% of his body. (Sorry, not sure how else to describe it.)
<No problem, the description works for me.>
He shows no signs of heavy breathing (at this time), and maybe slightly less active, but for the most part seems normal in behavior. (Came out from to rocks to eat.)<Eating is always a good sign.>
Now I have a yellow eyed tang that died around the same time I started noticing this on my EG, but I only had him for about 3 weeks and I believed that he died of stress from being harassed by the clown. (I never observed this but the clown has a mean streak, and I could not see any signs of illness on the tang. The tang did show some signs of stress (?) by constantly swimming up and down the glass, but he stopped a few days before he died and was acting normal again. 
<Sounds like your tang came in sick. That is why a QT tank is so important. That tang should have been in QT for 6 weeks before it reached you display.>
Anyway, I read on your site that the EG is a very hardy fish and is usually one of the last to show any signs of illness. To the best of my knowledge all my other occupants are doing fine. 
<Watch the EG and feed him well. Hopefully he will fight off this new infection on his own. Also, do yourself a favor and go out and buy a hospital tank. Trust me it will save you more money than it will ever cost.>
Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. 
Thanks, Jim
Phx, AZ
<Happy to help. Travis>

Re: Engineer Goby sick??? 12-14-05
Hi everyone,
<Hello>
Thanks for replying to my original question.
<No problem.>
Since then I tried sending another email with a pic of my sick EG but it seems you never received.
(I was concerned because he did not look like he was getting better.)
He has since started to improve (less slime on the body and eye clearing up, eating great, more visible before feeding) so I have some new
questions: Lets say he is shaking this off and will be okay without any quarantine
etc, what about my other fish? Did they have (or built up) an immunity to this?
<They most likely already had an immunity to it. All animals should be able to deal with any natural infection on their own, as long as they are healthy.>
Will it (what ever it is) still be in the tank, and what should I do
about it? (If anything)
<It will be in the tank, just as the chicken-pox virus is around you everyday. You will never 100% clear a tank of disease. You can only keep your fish as healthy and ready to deal with infection as possible.>
How long should I wait to add another "something"  to the tank. (Am I at
my max occupancy already?)
<That all depends on what you want to add. If you want to add a shark... then YES you are at your max capacity.>
Also At this time I have a spare 10gal.,  but do not have anything else such as a heater, powerhead, light . . .
What size tank do you suggest for a QT that I can use on a regular basis? I am  thinking of buying a 3-5g setup at a discount store. Would
this work or should I build on the 10g I have?
<I suggest a 10 gallon minimum.>
Just as a side note: The local store I go to has been great with every aspect of the hobby for me. They quarantine their new stock for a
period of time before placing in the display tanks. This is why I never bothered with a Q tank at home.
<That is great, but you will want to investigate how they are QTing their fish and for how long. You will also want to make sure the fish are not being QT'd and then reintroduced to water from other fish. Hope that helps and good luck, Travis.>
Thank you very much for any help
Jim

Eel gobies
Hi, I was wondering if you could possibly give me any information on the eel gobies.  I've been searching for quite some time trying to find out anything about them.  I wanted to know what they eat, are they reef safe, how aggressive they are and how large they get.  I've seen these fish a few times at the fish stores but no one seems to know anything about them, so any info is greatly appreciated.  Thanks for your time.  Sara
>>Hi Sara.  Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with any goby that is suitable for a reef that is called an "eel goby".  I will give you some links in the hopes that we can better determine what fish it is you're speaking of.  Try here--> http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/index.htm
and on Google my first "hit" was this--> http://www.amonline.net.au/fishes/fishfacts/fish/tpurpur.htm
If it was this monster--> http://sunflower.bio.indiana.edu/~sholtzma/fish.html
then I would have to say that I don't believe he'd be very suitable for a reef system. <See Pholidichthys... on WWM. RMF>

Convict blenny/goby
Hi Bob,
<Brent>
It's been a long time since I last contacted you, a couple of years at least.
<Still here, there>
Since then I have had a reef tank up and running using Eco-system method, I have removed the TurboFlotor 1000 skimmer with much success. I have a clam, open brain, finger coral, toadstool, pulsing xenia and a bubble tip anemone, plus several types of mushrooms and algae. Inverts are as follows: 10-15 turbo snails, 10-15 red legs, Maldives starfish and a blue Linckia, boxing shrimp and a cleaner shrimp 
My fish stock comprises of a chevron tang, coral beauty, pair of maroons in the host anemone, 5 green Chromis, a mandarin fish and 4 convict blenny/gobies.
<Topped off for sure>
The reason I am writing to pick your brain is that the convicts (which I love) have become emaciated, all other fish stock look fine. At first it appeared that it was only 1 of the fish that was affected but on closer inspection ( not easy with these fish as you will appreciate) all seem to have some sort of infection.
<Maybe so>
The fish are fed with an assortment of frozen foods soaked in Zoecon and Zoë marine, a dried pellet food and sea veggies (which to be honest I don't really rate that highly).
<I'd make my own>
I've attached a photograph to hopefully help in identifying the disease.
<<Photo is SO out of focus there is naught to do, cannot post this.>>
Thanks
Brent.
<Are you sure these Pholodichthys are just not receiving sufficient food period? For what appear to be sedentary animals they are quite "high metabolic"... You could try adding Metronidazole to their food for a few times. Please see here: http://wetwebmedia.com/metranidazole.htm. But I would first try offering more meaty foods right down near them... twice a day for a week or so>
I write to you as it was your book (Conscientious Marine Aquarist) that got me into this fascinating hobby in the first place, love the website too.
<Thank you my friend. Bob Fenner> 

Convict Blenny
Hello Bob,
I just have a quick question. How long will a Convict Blenny live in captivity?
<For many years... this is one of my favorite species (Pholidichthys), so do look for them about... there are some European public aquariums that have had this species for teens of years>
I know it depends on tank conditions and 100 other things, I'm just looking for an average life span. I have one that almost 3 years old and lately it has been looking raggedy. My Tank Water is good, and its tank mates are in good shape. Is it getting old or is it sick. It looks like its skin is peeling like it had a sunburn.
Thanks for your help.  Tobin
<Generally a very hardy species... If all your other livestock look okay, I'd bolster its nutrition by adding some other meaty foods, soaked in a vitamin prep. (e.g. Selcon). Bob Fenner> 

Convict Blenny question
Is there any way to tell the difference between the male and female Convict
Blenny.  
<Not as far as I'm aware, and have seen breeding adults (last at the Aquarius Aquarium in Long Island)... they were a good eighteen inches long and not-discernible>
Also we read on your website that they are social. We have a 100gal and just
bought a Convict and wonder if he would be happier if a mate was purchased.
I do not think we have room for three.
<This species is definitely "happier" in groups... will be seen in almost constant association with conspecifics. I would definitely add one or more in addition.>
Thanks, and we love your site.
Jerry Kammer
<Thank you for being part of it. Bob Fenner>

Growth Failure in Convict Blenny (4/27/04)
Crew, <Steve Allen today>
Thanks again for the patience that y'all have, the greatest
resource for the lost out there. <It's pleasure to play a small part in it. I have learned so much here myself.>
  I have an interesting issue. I purchased 6 "neon gobies"
from my LFS about 3 months ago. They were about 1.5 inches
in length and lots of fun to look at. After spending ~6weeks
in my vert QT they were fine and into my 200gal reef they
went. I figured out rather quickly that these were not neon
gobies, but convict/engineer blennies/gobies (Pholidichthys
leucotaenia). I discovered this from Mr. Fenner's glowing
recommendation of this interesting fish. So in a vain
attempt to inform my LFS of his mis-labeling, I brought in a
pic from the book. No help. <Some folks are truly stubborn.> Anyway, now 5 of them are over 4 inches long and dig constantly (amazingly, and gratefully, I placed the LR on the glass before adding the substrate). <Good move.>
  The issue is with the 6th one. It has not grown at all, not a
mm. It is still about 1.5 inches and only hangs with the
other boys about 10% of the time. A portion of his time he
spends laying on the bottom, almost motionless. He recovers
(?) and is back to swimming alone after a short time. At 1st
I thought that I was sold a real "neon", but after looking
closely he looks like a miniature of the others. He also is
the only one that seems to be hunting creepy-crawlies on the
LR, I saw it with my own 2 eyes! Any ideas? According to Mr.
Fenner he has rarely seen one take ill, so I am curious as
to your thoughts on this "Dwarf" Pholidichthys leucotaenia.
Most of the time he acts just like the others, I just worry
about the laying on the substrate thing. 1st time I saw it,
I thought he was dead. He's lasted over 3 months including
the quarantine time and he's still alive, although
admittedly stunted for some reason. I appreciate any ideas
you can offer, I get really attached to these guys and I've
been fortunate with my charges thus far, so I'm worried...
Regards, Walter <Well Walter, it's hard to say for sure here. Many factors, both genetic and environmental, can lead to stunting. It could be lacking the hormones it needs to grow any bigger. The behavior suggests that it is more likely lacking some nutrient (perhaps being out-competed by the others) or is inhibited by being "odd man out" or "the runt of the litter" so to speak. If he is not wasting away, perhaps he will be fine but small. If you could easily catch him and put him in another tank, you could find out for sure, but I suspect that's a lot of effort in your tank. As long as he appears to be free of contagion, it may be best to just leave him be.>

Convict Blennies
Hello Bob Fenner,
<Chris>
  Bob I wrote you an e-mail back in October regarding the 3 convict
  blennies that I had purchased who where growing and quiet active in
  my 72 gallon aquarium.  Recently however they have started hiding
  and don't even come out to eat like they use to, they simply peek
  out from the bottom and wait for the crumbs to fall to the bottom. I
  have noticed that one in particular has built a cave which I can see
  from the bottom of the aquarium, actually under the glass, where it
  remains during the day kind of curled up.  Is it possible that
  these convict blennies will produce and offspring? If not, is it
  normal for them after such a long period to become secluded?
<Is possible that they may reproduce. Saw a breeding community at the Atlantis Aquarium on Long Island last year... big animals, maybe a foot and a half in total length. Otherwise the behavior you describe is "natural". Bob Fenner>
Best regards,
Chris J. Gallant

Convict Blennies
Hello Bob Fenner,
<Howdy Chris>
I purchased 3 little convict blennies a couple of months ago thinking
it would be a nice addition to our 75 gallons tank.  They now measure
over 6 inches in length, have practically dug out all the possible
live sand (about 3 inches deep) around and eat like its going out of
style.  My little scooter dragonet died and I am thinking it was due
to a lack of food on the surface of the sand which use to be abundant.
<Very likely so>
The question is; how much bigger will my 3 stooges get and will they
cause any harm?  I am thinking of increasing my crab, snail and
invertebrate population however I am getting worried that there may not
be sufficient food left for them to graze on.
<Can get to more than a foot in your setting... not likely to cause trouble other than food competition, undermining anything not firmly stacked above the substrate. Bob Fenner>
What do you think?
<Here're my pix: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/pholodichthyidae.htm
Bob Fenner>
Best regards,
Chris J. Gallant

Eel gobies
>Well I'm back to bug you again.  
>>Oy!  LOL!  Alright Sara, let's see what I can do for you, eh?
>I just have a few more questions to ask you.  I have just recently set up my 75g tank to move my fish into.  So my first
question is if you think the 700 gallons per hour that my filters run plus whatever my skimmer does in an hour is enough for a 75g tank, or should I add some more filtration on to it?  
>>Ok, so as I understand it, you have a turnover rate of just under 10x/hour, just with filters, yes?  If so, I think this is just sufficient, though I would take care not to crowd animals.  
>My original plan was to run 1000 gph with two filters but I can't get them both to fit onto the tank with my skimmer there as well.  Now my next question is about my PJ cards.  The three largest cards are looking great but the smallest one always looks so beat
up.  Should I expect the smallest one to always look like this or will the rest of them back off at some point in time?  
>>Are the other cards doing the beating?  If so, space may not be what they need, although it won't hurt to give it a chance.  Since you've ended up with four, it may actually help to purchase one more cardinal--he'll likely be low man on the totem pole, and if you get him sufficiently large he'll also be less likely to be picked to death.
>Now that I have the 75 up and running I was becoming interested in purchasing a coral beauty.  I've never attempted one of these before, i wanted to wait till I had a well established system.  So I've been looking up lots of info on these guys and was wondering
if you think that they are safe enough to go into a reef tank.  I have a few different types of polyps, a lot of mushrooms, some cup corals, sun corals, a gorgonian plus two sebae anemones.  
>>Eee...everything was great till we got to the anemones.  You've picked the more difficult species here, and almost all desirable anemones have dismal records of survivability in captivity.  It is told that their lifespans are on the order of centuries, yet in our tanks it's rare for them to live beyond a few years.  Also, should the anemones decide to move around, they will sting all other sessile invertebrates.  Next time you decide on anemones, pick something with a proven track record that folks are getting splits off of like the Bubble Tip Anemone.  Hopefully these ones you have won't move around very much, but do watch them for impending death as they'll crash a system quickly if you're not careful.  
>>As to the question of the Coral Beauty, I kept one in my own reef tank for years, with no troubles.  It was the MANTIS SHRIMP I had trouble with (accidental introduction, no more skipping q/t for me!).  So I think you should be able to keep one.  However, there are those stories out there of them being polyp eaters/nippers, so watch him carefully.
>I also wanted to know if they should be fed a marine angel type of diet or if they're better off with lots of greens.
>>A variety of foods is what's necessary, offer them both, along with more meaty foods such as Mysis shrimps, finely chopped squid, clam, octopus, and shrimp.  Soak food in Selcon a few times a week, and everyone should receive good nutrition.
>I know that angels can become aggressive towards other fish in the tank so do you think the beauty would be ok with my docile cards?  
>>I would expect no trouble between the Centropyge and the cards.  Just remember that this will be the only Centropyge you can have in the tank.  
>And now I only have one more question for you.  I've been reading that the beauty's from the Philippines aren't hardy at all but I haven't found any info on how to tell the difference between a Philippine beauty and the rest of them.  So is there any way to tell where it came from?
>>It's not that Coral Beauties from the Philippines aren't hardy, it's that it is more likely than not that they've been collected with cyanide.  There are other fish from the Philippines that are routinely collected with cyanide, as well.  The best way to tell is to ask your dealer, though many don't pay attention, they just go for the cheapest fish.  I can tell you that the wholesaler I will be working for sells Philippine fish, but she has also worked VERY hard to find an exporter who deals in NET CAUGHT fish only (please don't fall for MAC--this organization has not put a viable cyanide detection test in place).  So, when the shop orders their fish, their wholesaler should already know where the fish came from.  One excellent way to tell if any fish has been exposed to cyanide (not necessarily collected) is if they eat yet waste away.  Also, if the dealer has both huge number and huge variety of Filipino fish, you can be fairly certain that the active, difficult-to-catch fishes are likely collected with cyanide.  Other than that, I know of no way to differentiate between a Philippine fish and, say, one from Tonga.  I hope this helps!  Best of luck with the bigger tank, Sara.  Marina

Gobies, blennies... Atlantic... Pholodichthys?
Hi have you ever heard of an Atlantic goby or Atlantic blenny? I bought 3 of them for 1.99 each at the pet store (cheap for saltwater fish) they are long 3" like an eel they have a black stripe on it they have made a tunnel in the sand and they live under the sand got any ideas? <They sound like engineer gobies from the description but I could say for sure with out a pic.  thanks JM

Convict blenny & deep send bed
Hello,
<Hi Petr, Don today>
I recently added deep send bed (6" of fine Southdown sand) to my 55gal reef tank w/ sump, Turboflotor 1000 skimmer, live rock (~40lbs).  I dose Kalk and Seachem's Reef buffer.  
<Sounds good>
I currently have a yellow tang, two convict blennies, red Linckia starfish, a few snails and hermit crabs, and some zoanthids living on my live rock.  I love the DSB for the way it looks in the tank and also for its benefits.  My only concern is that my blennies seem to enjoy digging their little homes under and around the liver rock.   And it is not just one or two holes, they are digging around almost every piece of LR in the tank.  Is this going to mess up the denitrification process in the DSB that I'm trying to foster?  If so what should I do about it?  Thanks...
<Just blennies being blennies! You might try adding some rubble (empty shells, small fragments of rock, etc) and see if they don't use these to build a 'home' and settle in. Hope this helps, Don>
Petr

Re: eel gobies
>Thanks for looking into this for me but none of the pics that you sent to me are of the one that I've seen.  
>>You're welcome, sorry the pics don't help.  Is there any way you can get a picture?  If you can get a picture, of if your LFS has a marine fish "Bible" (identification book) it would help us help you.
>I have recently seen a picture of a convict blenny and it does look almost identical to the eel goby, so my next question for you is could these two fish be the same thing, just having different names?
>>ABSOLUTELY!  This is the bane of aquarists round the world--local common names vs. correct taxonomical names.  And this cross-over from goby to blenny and back again is quite common as well.  Your shop may have simply misidentified the critter in question.
>I also had another question about the boxer/Pom-Pom
crabs.  Can you have more than one in a tank?  I had two for a very short time and then one just died for no apparent reason.  The other one I've had for about a year with no problems at all.  
>>I think you've answered your own question.  I wouldn't try adding another, especially considering that you appear to have a breeding pair of Stenopus in the same system, yes?  It may very well be that they (Pom-Poms) won't tolerate each other, as well.  Take a look here--> http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/arthropoda/crabs/swcrabs.htm
>Also could you give me any info on how the crabs breed.  Shortly after acquiring the first one she became pregnant.  I was wondering if they are like shrimps and seem to always carry
eggs or if they only carry them if they've been fertilized.  
>> Look here for some information--> http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/index.htm
>>I will tell you this, many, many animals have a planktonic larval stage.  The crabs may carry eggs (unfertilized as well), they may even carry fertilized eggs, but to rear the young would take a dedicated system.  If you have filter feeders I say let the eggs and any subsequent larvae become food for the system.  I have been unable, at this point, to find specific sexing information.
>I have just one last question for you.  i have very luckily gotten two coral banded shrimps to pair up, the female of the two is carrying eggs now so i was wondering how long does she carry them before releasing them?  Also do you happen to know what color the eggs are supposed to be if they're fertilized and what
color the eggs are if they're not fertilized.  Thank you so much for all of your help.  Sara
>>Try here--> http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/arthropoda/shrimp/stenopus.htm
>>I know that the ovaries of female CB's are dark and easily visible, and I also know that you are indeed very fortunate to have had a couple pair up!  Don't worry too much, though, as once they've begun breeding, it's unlikely they'll want to stop anytime soon, eh?  ;)  That will allow time to gather whatever information is out there on breeding.  You may also want to visit other reefing sites, such as www.reefs.org  This is a good means of gathering information that may not yet be published.  Our own site has a Breeder's Column at http://www.wetwebfotos.com/talk
<----------------------------------------------------------->
<<<OK FOLKS, anyone have anything else to add to this PLEASE DO!  My learning curve is stretched at the moment, and I can feel my brain wrinkling as I sit here!  LOL!  Marina

Re: eel gobies
thanks for looking into this for me but none of the pics that you sent to me
are of the one that I've seen.  i have recently seen a picture of a convict
blenny and it does look almost identical to the eel goby, so my next
question for you is could these two fish be the same thing, just having
different names?
<Yes, likely so. Please see here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/blennioids.htm
about in the middle.>
i also had another question about the boxer/ pom pom
crabs.  can you have more than one in a tank?
<If the system is large enough... dependent on the size of the crabs as well... and has enough physical break-up of the space... for hiding, getting away>
i had two for a very short
time and then one just died for no apparent reason.  the other one I've had
for about a year with no problems at all.  also could you give me any info
on how the crabs breed.
<Please see WWM re>
  shortly after acquiring the first one she became
preg.  i was wondering if they are like shrimps and seem to always carry
eggs or if they only carry them if they've been fertilized.  i have just one
last question for you.  i have very luckily gotten two coral banded shrimps
to pair up, the female of the two is carrying eggs now so i was wondering
how long does she carry them before releasing them?  also do you happen to
know what color the eggs are supposed to be if they're fertilized and what
color the eggs are if they're not fertilized.  thank you so much for all of
your help.
                      Sara
<Keep studying my friend. Bob Fenner>

Re: eel gobies
>well right now they're in a 40 breeder, will be moving to a 75 later on.  
>>How much later on?  A 75 would give you plenty of room to give the pajama some mates to play with (mates as in friends).
>i have a small Sailfin tang, orange tail damsel, lawnmower/algae blenny, PJ cardinal, and 3 convict blennies, 2 CBS, pencil urchin, long spine urchin, blue tuxedo urchin, sally lightfoot crab, 2 emerald crabs, 1 pom pom crab, around 20 blue legged hermits, 6 Astrea snails, 1 brittle starfish and a few different types of soft corals.  i run 2 filters in my system so I'm close to 700 gallons per hour plus a deluxe Prizm protein skimmer.  
>>Holy cow, Batman!  That's some good water movement for a 40..LOL!  Good thing, it's what the cards like.
>I'm not sure how much that one pushes in an hour.
>>Other than suggesting these fishes get into the 75 sooner rather than later, it sounds pretty good to me.  Good luck with it all, Sara.  Marina

Gregarious Gobies!
I am curious about the convict/engineer goby.  Does this fish live in groups in nature or is it a solitary fish.  Does it share its burrows with others of its kind?
Thanks Fred.
<Well, Fred- the answer is yes- and no! Many times these fishes will congregate into small groups in the aquarium, and are quite gregarious. I have seen other specimens that seem to live a more solitary existence...always seems to boil down to the individual fishes in question. I'd start out with a small group and see how the interactions work out.. Good luck! Regards, Scott F>

Engineer Goby
Hi, I am a long time reader and first time 'asker'. My LFS received some fish from someone dismantling their tank. One of them, the one that I purchased, has a goby like head and a Tesselata Eel type body, black and white in color. Neither of us can I identify it and were wondering what you think it may be.
<It sounds like a good description of the Engineer Goby.>
It burrows into the substrate, somewhat like a Pistol Shrimp does, making huge mounds of sand around it. From afar, it has the appearance of the above mentioned eel. Any help would be appreciated.
<Please take a look at the pictures here to confirm, http://www.wetwebmedia.com/pholodichthyidae.htm>
Thanks, Sean
<You are welcome. -Steven Pro>

Re: Engineer Goby
Well, I am in awe at your response.
<Truthfully, your description was pretty good and not too many other things it could have been. Frankly, I was surprised to here your LFS could not ID an Engineer Goby that they had in their possession. They are by no means uncommon.>
It appears that you are correct. It looks like an adult, about 6 inches in length. I guess they change their appearance as an adult.
<Yes, they begin with the horizontal stripes and slowly change to the banding.>
Thank you very much, Sean
<You are welcome. -Steven Pro>

Engineer Goby
Hi, I am a long time reader and first time 'asker'. My LFS received some fish from someone dismantling their tank. One of them, the one that I purchased, has a goby like head and a Tesselata Eel type body, black and white in color. Neither of us can I identify it and were wondering what you think it may be.
<It sounds like a good description of the Engineer Goby.>
It burrows into the substrate, somewhat like a Pistol Shrimp does, making huge mounds of sand around it. From afar, it has the appearance of the above mentioned eel. Any help would be appreciated.
<Please take a look at the pictures here to confirm, http://www.wetwebmedia.com/pholodichthyidae.htm>
Thanks, Sean
<You are welcome. -Steven Pro>

Re: Engineer Goby
Well, I am in awe at your response.
<Truthfully, your description was pretty good and not too many other things it could have been. Frankly, I was surprised to here your LFS could not ID an Engineer Goby that they had in their possession. They are by no means uncommon.>
It appears that you are correct. It looks like an adult, about 6 inches in length. I guess they change their appearance as an adult.
<Yes, they begin with the horizontal stripes and slowly change to the banding.>
Thank you very much, Sean
<You are welcome. -Steven Pro>

Engineer Gobies "Illness"
We have three Engineer Gobies in our tank that have varying degrees of the
same illness. They have white or gray cloudy spots spreading on their
sides. The worse of the three has it clouding over the eyes. The side
(pectoral?) fins have disintegrated (each of the three have different levels
of deterioration) as well as the "fins" that run along the top down the
back.
<perhaps a combination of pathogens here>
Our fish caretaker has tried two different medications over the last 3-6
months. Each time the fish appear to get better, but then start to get
worse again after awhile. 
<it would help to know the meds but I will guess that some dreadful gram positive antibiotic like Maracyn/Erythromycin was one of them. Too commonly dispensed and nearly useless for marine diseases. Please use a Furazolidone and Nitrofurazone mixed drug in a bare bottomed QT tank for optimal results>
What ever the gobies have isn't affecting the
other fish in the tank (clown fish, yellow tail damsel, shrimp, starfish,
and a yellow fish (big 2", flat, with a pucker mouth) I can't remember the
name of).
Do you have any idea what the gobies have that isn't affecting the other
fish and any possible cure for their symptoms? 
<each fish and species has a different resistance... the others may never get this or it can occur in time. Please understand and employ a proper quarantine tank for all new and sick fishes>
We are considering taking
them out and replacing them with something else, but if we can cure them
we'd rather keep them. 
<"take them out" as in destroy them? That seems to be the message here as evidenced by your qualifying statement, "but if we can cure them
we'd rather keep them." Hmmm.... you are making me sad here. Else you must know that dumping them on somebody else or the pet store while they are sick will likely kill them anyway>
All the fish get along well and the gobies are
pretty happy most of the time. It gets scary when the one goby that has
the worse symptoms gets really bad and the others chase him out of the
hiding place, then the clown fish will push him around (territorial maybe or
trying to keep the goby going).
<yes... sad to see>
The medications have definitely helped the gobies show improvement, the
cloudy spots go away, the eyes clear and the fins start to look healthier
(at the beginning seemed to grow back some), but now it seems like they get
the "problem" back faster each time. 
<the meds are not the right kind or strength. They need to be dosed for at least five days and either longer or stronger if not done in a bare QT tank (the gravel/rocks temper and absorb medication efficacy in your display tank).>
Out of the three there was one with
the least symptoms (he was the only one who still had complete side fins,
but now they are deteriorating quickly and it's so sad to watch.
<they are extremely hardy fishes and can likely recover easily>
The medications were (sorry I don't know the names) white oval pills we
tried 4-5 different times and most recently a stinky yellow round pill that
makes the water turn yellow we tried twice.
<Egads... the second med was Tetracycline!!! My friend, your fishkeeper needs to learn more about fish meds. Both of those drugs were outdated in the 80s. Many bacterial immunities to them... no wonder they didn't work. Its unfortunate that the pet stores still sell them. Let me recommend to all the excellent new fish disease reference by Noga and for an older but less expensive and still relevant reference: Untergasser's Handbook of Fish Diseases (TFH)>
Thank you for any help you can offer.
<If you haven't considered it already... there is an excellent aquarium Society in San Diego where you can get great local advice and support from fellow aquarists: SDMAS Aquarium societies are wonderful places for great information and fellowship. Best regards, Anthony>
Michelle F. Baker

Unknown Fish
Hello, a few months back I discovered a fish under my live rock that I didn't purchase so I figured it found its way in the tank off the rock. I e-mailed you guys about this and you said it would be helpful if you had a picture so here is a few. The fish was only about three inches when I discovered it but now its on to about 6-8 inches and still growing. I know its not an eel because it has pectoral fins and no noticeable teeth. Thank you for your help and hopefully you recognize it.
<Please see the WetWebMedia.com site re Pholodichthyids. Bob Fenner>

Injured convict blenny
Dear Bob,
My 100 gal FOWLR has housed five 7"-9" convict blennies (Pholidichthys leucotaenia) for the past year and a half.
<Really neat animals>
They've seemed quite hardy and happy constantly rearranging their homes in the 5" sand bed. Other inhabitants are: 6" Foxface rabbit, 5" hippo tang, 2" flame angel, sand-sifter bullet goby, lawnmower blenny, snails, small scarlet hermit crabs, and one tiny Aiptasia.
Last night I noticed this smaller 7" convict constantly skimming the surface of the tank. All the others were tucked into their sand homes. I thought this was suspicious behavior, since sick fish often swim near the surface, I suppose for more oxygen.
<A good guess... or too much carbon dioxide...>
On closer inspection, I saw that his tail has been eaten. The last one inch of his tail is gray, obviously eaten, and some red open wound streaks. I isolated him in the plastic breeding cage for the night and prepared and transferred him to the hospital tank this morning. I began treatment with Melafix.
What do you suppose happened? 
<Maybe a fight started this... or a falling rock...>
My only guess is that somehow he got a scratch on his tail and the other members of his family began picking at it like a bunch of chickens. When he makes it back to health (I'm being optimistic now, he really doesn't look very good), I will put him in the 40 gal Caulerpa tank which has one maroon clown and one pajama cardinal and one CB shrimp.
<Okay>
The hospital tank is ten gal, bare bottom, two coffee mugs for hiding, heater and whisper filter, water from the main tank. Melafix, 1tsp/day as per instructions. Do you have any other suggestions?
Thank you,
Fellow convict blenny lover,
Linda
<Mmm, only my well-wishes. Kia orana my friend. Bob Fenner>

Convict Blenny offered as "worm goby"
Dear Bob,
Offered as "worm gobies" for only $5.95. But my reading of your book enabled me to identify these as "Convict non-goby, non-blennies". I find them attractive and may add a few to the community. Your writing is clear on their hardiness.
<A fabulous species for aquarium use... seemingly very intelligent, and definitely comical...>
Is this a desirable fish for my very peaceful community which now contains a true Percula clown, a sleeper goby, a yellow Hawaiian tang, 3 neon gobies, and a Gramma? Also some mushroom anemones, yellow polyps, and bubble coral. I don't want a fish that bites others (as some blennies do) or eats corals and polyps.
<Shouldn't eat, bother invertebrates... but are active enough to cause your sleeper problems by eating all the food... do get to about a foot in length... saw some old-timers at the Steinhart Aquarium two days back...>
The refugium looks great and all the plants are doing well except the grape Caulerpa is turning gray and doesn't appear happy. Could this be too much light? I have moved it to the bottom of the tank.
<Maybe... more likely an incompatibility with other algae species... but it may still rally... I'd leave it where it is>
Thanks for the advice on the pH controller. That will save a couple hundred bucks for other projects and livestock.
<Ah, good... we share the same addictive attitude... Bob Fenner>
Howard