Goby Eating Jawfish 1-22-08
Good morning all...
<Hello. Yunachin here.>
I had the strangest thing happen overnight.
I have a 90g reef tank with the following inhabitants:
2 False Perculas
Fairy Wrasse
Kole Tang
4.5" Yellow Watchman Goby (he's huge... was huge)
Yellowheaded Jawfish (one small, one large)
Yellow-tail Blue Damsel
Coral Banded Shrimp
Some soft corals...
<Nice collection you have.>
I was a little tentative about adding the Watchman Goby back into the tank after
having spent 5 months in another tank to let my Jawfish settle. Bob gave me
50/50 odds if the Goby would be a problem sharing the bottom with the Jawfish.
The first week proved a little tense, a lot of open mouth head shaking by the
goby... and the small Jawfish would always move. The larger Jawfish was more or
less left alone. I never realized the teeth on the Jawfish before... impressive
for a small skittish fish.
<Indeed, I have two myself.>
Anyhow, last night my goby was acting weird... jumping around on the bottom. I
couldn't get a good look at him at first, but I kept watching... only to see the
small Jawfish had appeared to have been swallowed mostly whole. The tail was
still out of the mouth and it looked like the fish was still alive.
<Oh my…>
I used tank tongs to disturb the goby hoping maybe he'd spit up the fish... but
the goby just moved into one of the caves in the tank. I figured at that point
to let nature take its course hoping at least the large Jawfish could hold his
ground. This morning, the little Jawfish is at the front of my tank in his
burrow... the large Jawfish is also in his burrow at the opposite end of the
tank. I looked around with a flashlight to find the goby... my large Coral
Banded Shrimp and a hermit crab is on the carcass of the Yellow Watchman Goby.
<I am sorry to hear that.>
I never in a million years would have thought to have seen that outcome. Is this
surprising? I couldn't see the body to well and didn't have time to fish it out
before work... but I have this vision of the little Jawfish getting swallowed
mostly but fighting/biting like mad within the goby? Is it possible that it did
enough internal damage to the goby that it was eventually able to escape? Like
eating him from the inside so to speak?
<Two things could have occurred in this situation. One, the Jawfish could have
indeed, ripped the goby from the inside. The more likely explanation is the goby
choked on the Jawfish trying to swallow him and actually died, then afterward
the Jawfish was able to wiggle out and escape.>
All I have to say is... WOW.
<As do I. –Yunachin>
David Brynlund
Yellow Watchman Gobies... repro.
9/12/07
Hello Crew!
I searched the goby FAQ's and didn't find the answer to my question. I purchased
two yellow watchman gobies at the same time
<Mmm, of the same sex if the same color...>
and introduced them into my 75G aquarium. The only other inhabitants are two
Ocellaris clowns that are 9 months old, 1 peppermint shrimp, one pistol shrimp,
two "transparent shrimp", two red sea stars, one serpent star, some button Coral
Polyps, mushroom corals, 1 "dung" cucumber,
<Mmm, what species?>
and some snails and hermits. I introduced the gobies at the same time, one is
grayer and larger, the other is yellower and smaller.
<Oh! I take it back... separate sexes>
I have had them for months now and the bigger grayer one keeps chasing the
smaller one around the tank.
<What they do>
The gray one will open his mouth VERY wide and advance on the smaller one. I
have never seen a bite land, the yellow one always runs faster and as long as
they are out of sight of one another all is peaceful. There are enough places to
hide that the yellow one is not constantly on the run but it has me worried. I
wanted to create a breeding pair but do I have two of the same sex?
<Nope>
I read an extensive article on Advanced Aquarist by someone who has raised
gobies and they said that the larger gray one is always the female, and the
smaller yellow one would be the male.
<This is my understanding, though Fishbase simply states that this species comes
in two color variations:
http://fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=7208&genusname=Cryptocentrus&speciesname=cinctus>
Should I return one of them for a different one? If so which one? Thanks for
your help!
Paul
<Might be better if they were closer in size... but if there has been no actual
damage, both are eating, appear not-too thin... I'd wait out the two you have.
Bob Fenner>
Re: Pink watchman goby and ich, now Firefish
comp. – 07/26/07
Hi Bob,
Thank you for your kind words. I've had a bit of an emergency and am perplexed
as to what to do. I woke up this morning and my firefish has a wound (appears
white) at the base of the anal fin and her fins are frayed. At night she goes
into a hole in the live rock and I know there are things living in there but is
there anything that could have attacked her?.. or could it have been the goby or
mithrax crabs?
<Easily>
Actually the real question is should I put her in a quarantine tank until that
wound heals?
<Better to move, remove the probable cause/s>
She is swimming, eating and breathing just as normal as she was yesterday.
Thanks.. Jennifer
<Do keep a sharp watch... doesn't take much for further damage... BobF>
Re: Pink watchman goby and ich – 07/26/07
Ok, thanks Bob. I have a feeling it was the goby...he has a guilty look.
I'll continue keeping a sharp eye on the firefish...I've had her the longest so
I'm rather partial to her. Thanks for your help....again! Jennifer
<Real good. BobF>
Pistol Shrimp/Goby Pair? 7/19/07
Hi crew
<Hi Adam! Mich here.>
Question from Australia :),
<Cool... Answer currently coming from the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, USA>
I will definitely be getting a shrimp/goby pair for my 24x18x18.
<An awesome dynamic to observe!>
I was wondering if I could have 2 pairs?
<I would look for a mated pair of gobies and their symbiotic shrimp. This is the
best situation>
different sp.?
<You may be OK with different species. I would avoid getting two of the same
species unless they are a mated pair.>
have read a lot on these symbiotic relationships and really like them.
<It is quite captivating... Hours of entertainment!>
Also finding a suitable substrate. The opinions differ again. Is it species
orientated?
<Each individual fish can be different. Best to provide a variety of options. I
would place a couple of small piles of rumble of varying degrees of coarseness
about the tank. You will also want to make sure you live rock is placed directly
on the glass and not on the sandbed as any borrowing fish could be accidentally
crushed. And you will also need a well cover tank as these Gobies can be
jumpers.>
This is the whole aim for this tank, to have a shrimp/goby symbiotic
relationship.
<Very nice! You will surely enjoy!>
Only keeping soft/LPS corals and fish that will live in harmony with my
shrimp/goby pair.
<Very good!>
Thanks
<Welcome... If you write again please don't forget to use proper capitalization.
Mich>
Adam
Yellow Watchman Goby 1 - Hermit Crab 0,
adding "corals" 6/23/07
Bob,
Thank you for your quick reply. My company is about to make the big switch
ourselves and I’m am definitely not looking forward the fallout. Enclosed is the
original email.
<Good>
Thanks again for all your help,
Matthew
Hello WWM crew,
Thanks for all your past help!
The weirdest thing just happened. A small hermit crab was walking past my Yellow
Watchman Goby’s cave when the Goby came flying out grabbed the crab and carried
him back into his hideout. I couldn’t believe what I saw, I did lots of reading
about YWG and hadn’t seen anything like this. 30 seconds later crab came out of
the cave and was about 3in away when the Goby grabbed him and hauled him back
in. I was able to count the crabs later and he was still alive. Did a search of
WWM and couldn’t find any accounts of something like this happening. Any
thoughts would be appreciated.
<These gobies are carnivorous... will capture, consume crustaceans like
Hermits...>
One other question while I’ve got you here. On a completely different topic…
coral. Never worked with coral before so I’ve been doing lots of reading. I have
a 40T Eclipse system. I’ve seen reports of people having success with smaller
Eclipse systems but haven’t seen anything about a 40T type setup. I just have
the standard Eclipse equipment with 2 power heads, crushed coral substrate and
live rock.
Stock wise I have the Yellow Watchman Goby
1 Clownfish.
1 Cleaner shrimp
And a hermit crab/snail clean up crew
Still in the stocking stage and thought I should look into whether or not coral
was an option and begin to tailor my stock list around that. If possible I’d be
looking beginner level with bright colours. Would this be possible without the
addition of hardware? If not would it be possible with the addition of hardware?
Thanks for all your help,
Matthew
<Well... there are a few groups of what folks call "Corals" (not the true softs
(Alcyonaceans) or hard/stonies (Scleractinians)... these would need more light,
filtration...) that you can/could consider... Please take a cursory read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/index.htm
By group... re Systems, Compatibility, Feeding... Bob Fenner>
Fish Compatibility Question
Dear Bob:
I have a 75 gallon tank with deep sand bed (3 to 4 inches) and about 75 pounds
live rock. The inhabitants are as follows: royal Gramma, flame angel, black
sailfin blenny, cardinal, and one tank bred ocellaris clown. I also have one
rock with brown button polyps, some green mushrooms, Haitian anemone, green
bubble tip anemone, clove polyps, and one small squamosa clam. There are various
snails, 2 cleaner shrimp, and a few scarlet hermits. I would love to add a
yellow watchman goby and a pistol shrimp. I have had different opinions as to
whether the goby and the blenny would be compatible. Also would the cleaner
shrimp and the pistol be okay together? Would I be overstocked if I added them?
Thanks in advance for you help......
Janey
<Always "calculable gambles" in mixing livestock in different
size/shape/type set-ups... but I give you good odds here. I consider that these
animals would likely mix, and not be too over-crowded. Bob Fenner>
Killer Randall's Shrimp Goby
I have a Randall's Shrimp goby and his shrimp friend in a relatively new 180
gallon fish and live rock tank. They are a fascinating pair and, until recently,
my favorites. But I am experiencing something that I cannot find in any of the
books.
Last weekend, a friend was over to give me a few pointers, and we noticed that
the Randall's had a yellow neon goby sticking out of its mouth. It spit out the
neon, but the neon did not survive the day. I figured that the neon must have
decided to check out the Randall's lair and paid the consequences.
<Yes, this happens>
Today, however, I was watching a blue neon goby minding its own business when
the Randall's appeared out of nowhere and grabbed it from behind. The Randall's
then darted back to its nest with the neon in its mouth. It is now back out
again looking very full.
<Hmmm>
I had 9 neons and can now find 3. I suspect the Randall's. This sounds very
strange based on what I have read about the shrimp gobies. Any ideas?
<Not strange... they are opportunistic... and will eat small fishes like
gobies for sure. Bob Fenner>
Marine questions, Shreemps, brittle stars, goby diffs!
-Can I keep a pistol shrimp which is living in a symbiosis together with a
Cryptocentrus cinctus (yellow goby) together with a peppermint shrimp, or will
they start fighting?
<My pistol shrimp have killed cleaner shrimp.>
-My brittle star have got a lot of small brittle star babies, will a new brittle
star eat them, and what shall i feed them?
<The small brittle starfish are probably a different species. These mini
brittle starfish are detritivores and do not need target fed.>
-Do you know how i can see the difference on a yellow goby? -Arne
<I am guessing you mean "difference" in the sexes of the fish.
There are some subtle differences in size and girth of the belly when you see an
obvious pair together. Baensch "Marine Atlas: Volume 1" was an in
depth description. -Steven Pro>
Pistol shrimp/gobies in new tank
hello,
i am in the process in setting up my reef tank (75 gallon) i have 100 pounds of
live rock and 25 pounds of lace rock. i am wondering if i can add two pistol
shrimp and a wheeler watchman goby and a Randall prawn goby (or should i just
stick with one pair pistol/goby combination) with the following list of wants of
livestock.
want to add (over a period of time)
2 fire shrimp
2 cleaner shrimp
1 banded coral shrimp
emerald crab (x2)
2 Percula clowns (w/anemone and anemone crab inside)
2 sand sifting stars
Sally lightfoot crab
4 green Chromis's
50 bumble bee snails
various red/blue hermits
blue "hippo" tang (small)
button and star polyps
green stripe mushroom
hairy mushroom
bulls eye mushroom
have a sl-150 miracle wet/dry (Rio 2500 pump 720 gph)
two Fluval 404's
Berlin xl turbo skimmer
4 VHO 110 watt lights
aragonite sand (75 pounds or so) what needs added for the goby/pistol
relationship to work
thank you for you time and consideration. its hard to find good advice when
starting out your new aquariums and ideas for livestock
Jeff Morningstar
<Mmm, the fishes you list and the non-crustaceans should pose no problems...
but the other shrimps... might consume the Alpheids if hungry... I would
start/do what you propose... go with just the one pair first (either), and see
how they fare. If it were me/my system, I would acclimate the new mutuals in an
all plastic specimen box (like the ones used for housing small amphibians,
lizards, bugs... available at pet shops) on the bottom for a few days ahead of
releasing them. Bob Fenner>
Watchman goby and pistol shrimp
Hello,
<Hi, Chad... Anthony Calfo here answering mail while Bob extracts sand from
various orifices having returned from a dive trip to Mexico>
I have a Watchman Goby and he has already set up camp under some live rock.
Today I bought a pistol shrimp and it went to the opposite side of the tank as
soon as I dumped it in. Do you know how long it might take to get the two to
sense each other and start their Symbiotic relationship?
<absolutely,... never. Thanks for asking>
Is there a way to speed up the process?
<nope>
Will they chemically know the other and just start a new home.
<nope again>
Should I capture both of them and put them in my 10 gal refugium for while until
they connect?
<they will either continue to ignore each other or punch the living daylights
out of each other>
Also, the shrimp has a few legs missing and it's left front claw. Will these
grow back well enough giving time or should I be worried?
<no worries...they will grow back nicely within a few molts>
My tank is a 46 gal reef tank. I have added some calcium plus three (iodine,
strontium?, and magnesium). Should this help my shrimp's legs grow back any
better?
<the iodine, yes!>
Thanks a lot for answering my many questions.
<thanks for putting up with my humor, bud. The truth of the matter is that
the relationship between shrimp and goby is very specific and at times
precarious. For starters... shrimp species known to pair with receptive goby
species cannot be interchanged with other tolerant species of either group. They
are VERY specific to their dedicated commensal partner species. Furthermore...
some will not even reconnect quickly or at all even with the correct species
assuming you know it (rare info to have). Typically... the only way to enjoy the
sight in captivity is to purchase them as a pair that were collected
together...a very hard find. With kind regards, Anthony>
Goby-Shrimp association, non-native associations
Hi Bob, PF again (sorry to be a pest today, but I have to take advantage
of the mind cranking along at max while I can ;) )
I was wondering if the Florida snapping shrimp (Alpheus floridianus)
would form a symbiotic relationship with Goby's other than the Atlantic
Orangespotted shrimp-goby (Nes longus) and the Spotfin goby (Gobionellus
stigmalophius)?
<It's possible, yes>
I was thinking such as a Randall's or Filament finned
prawn goby?
<Maybe...>
Would a stocking density of 1 per 4 sq/ft of tank bottom be
appropriate?
<About right... these fishes can be quite territorial...>
I'm leaning more and more towards my 300g being primarily
Floridian/Caribbean in makeup, with a few oddballs from out biotope, such
as clownfish, some corals, tropical abalone (from FFE) as cleaners, etc.
Can Orangespotted and Spotfins be mixed, or stick to one species?
<In a large system, they can be mixed>
or do
the same species fight?
<If overly crowded yes>
Thanks for your patience, according to Amazon I
should be getting your books by Friday at the latest, I'm looking
forward to it. Have a happy Fourth!
Mike
<You as well my friend. Peace. Bob Fenner>
Re: Goby-Shrimp association, non-native associations
I've done a little more digging and found that the local Floridian Goby's
are considered endangered in the Keys not sure if they're on the CITES list
or not), are they available in other parts of the Caribbean, and if so
should I be able to order them either an online or LFS dealer without
violating CITES reg.s? Thanks again!
<Hmm, according to fishbase.org these fishes have a wider range than
Florida... don't know of anyone who collects them though... not
easily/economically caught... And not CITES organisms as far as I know...
definitely not Appendix I... Bob Fenner>
Mike
Pistol Shrimp & Gobies Pairs
How are you guys doing?
<Very well!>
Fine I hope. How aggressive are pistol shrimp?
<Mine only bother someone who tries to hide in their burrow.>
Looking to buy a goby/shrimp combo but I don't want him eating more expensive
dinners than I do.
<Given enough room and hiding spots, they are pretty peaceful, keeping to
themselves, but mine have killed about a half dozen animals over the course of
the four years I have had them. Two Cleaner Shrimp right after they were
introduced darted down into the Pistol Shrimps' home. Snap, snap, snap, I never
saw the Cleaners again. Also, a few small fishes when I have been rearranging
rock or adding corals, basically disturbing things. The fish got scared and
tried to hide on the other end of the tank. Note, that mine shrimp do not have a
Goby living with them. Perhaps the Goby would have prevented the other fish from
entering the cave. -Steven Pro>
-Goby shrimp w/out a shrimp goby!-
Crew Person: <Kevin person here tonight>
I was able to get a "paired" Randall's Prawn Goby (Amblyeleotris
randalli) & Pistol Shrimp. Unfortunately, a week into QT, the
Goby died. Now I am sitting here with a pretty expensive shrimp (that
looks more like a lobster). Anyway, my question is this: can
I get another fish to pair up, or am I up shrimp's creek without a Goby?
<Haha, I suppose that would depend on the goby. Shrimp/goby pairs are
actually very easy to set-up, so I hope you didn't pay too much for the luxury.
I would just get a hold of another Randall's (after making sure what happened to
this one won't happen again) and you've got a pretty good chance it will pair
up. Make that a 95% chance.> It doesn't sound likely, but I had to ask the
pros. If the possibility exists, can I get any species of shrimp
goby, or stick with Randall's? <The Randall's are pretty promiscuous as far as
shrimp are concerned, so I'd go with that one. Good luck! -Kevin> Thanks for
all you do, Rich.
-Shrimp gobies without their goby shrimp?-
Crew:
I often see Randall's Prawn Goby (Amblyeleotris randalli ) <My favorite
shrimp goby!> and other shrimp gobies at my LFS without their shrimp. Is
this okay? <Absolutely> Can they live long lives alone? <Just like
clowns and anemones, they only need to be together in the ocean. It's a dog eat
dog world out there...> Are there any shrimp gobies to be avoided without
their shrimp? <Not that I can think of. Good luck! -Kevin>
Thanks, Rich
Gobies (12-14-03)
hey again,<Howdy, Cody here today.>
what are your thoughts on the following:
if I got lets say 3 different pairs of "matched" goby and shrimp sets,
with each goby being a diff kind, would the shrimp fight?<Unless you have a
large tank I would stick to just one pair. I think that it would be
too crowded with all of them on and "in" the sandbed. Although
you may be able to pull this off if you had a large surface area. Cody>
thanks
Mike
Randall's goby with lawnmower blenny
Hi,
Thanks for the great site, I send lots of people to it.
Normally I can find my own answers, but this time I want yours.
In a 37 Gallon " oceanic corner tank" I keep 25 lbs liverock, four
inch deep sand bed. Fish are a pair of percula clowns pair of yellow tail
blue damsels, and a lawnmower blenny, with about 10 mixed snails, 10 blue
leg hermits, and 6 asst mushrooms. Recently a friend gave me a 1 inch Randall's pistol shrimp. All is fine 2 weeks later, and I am wanting to add a Randall's goby or a yellow
watchman goby. In this set up, do you think the goby and blenny would get along?
<I give you good odds. Salarias, Atrosalarias blennies are generally only feisty
with algae eating competitors>
And if so which goby would be a better choice? Tank has been set up a years as is now.
Thanks for any reply, Roger
<The Randall's if you want to see interaction with the alpheid... The Watchman
if not. Bob Fenner>
Re: Randall's goby with lawnmower blenny
Thanks for the quick reply, I keep an emperor 400 and the live rock, DSB
for filtration, forgot to mention the emperor 400,again, thanks.
<Sure, No problem. I would suggest a protein skimmer if you don't have one
already. MikeB.>
Purple tang and shrimp goby questions
Hello there. I've had great fun reading and learning from your wonderful site.
<Me too>
Basics: we (my fiancé and I) have a healthy, vibrant reef tank: one-year-old 55 gal, lots of live rock well-covered in coralline algae, several inches of live sand substrate, very good water quality checked regularly and maintained religiously. As far as hardware, we have a CPR
BakPak skimmer, three burly powerheads to move the water around (one agitates the surface -- FAQs!) , and a small AquaClear filter that gets its media cleaned several times per week (FAQs!). Lighting is about 200W of mixed color-temp (one yellow-er tube, one purple-er tube). Fish:
A. melanopus clown w/green bubble-tip anemone, purple tang (young adult, 3-4"), red fire goby (yeah, I know, not the best match, got it when the tank was "gentler"), and a big royal
Gramma. Everyone seems to be getting along fine. Inverts include various hard and soft corals (pulsing xenia, galaxy coral, mushrooms, plate coral, torch coral, daisy coral, etc) plus a good number of snails and a few hermits. Two big peppermint shrimp. Oh, and a Randall's pistol shrimp, more on him in a sec.
We feed a combination of Mysis shrimp, Cyclop-eeze, and assorted San Francisco Bay brand frozen prepared food (meat- and veggie-based). I've also been throwing in some
Nori for the tang (FAQs again!).
Questions (finally!):
(1) The tang is constantly hungry and has cleared out virtually all greens in the tank. It's also nibbled a lot at the xenia which is irksome as it's our favorite coral. We are wary of over-feeding as we have had phosphate spikes related to overfeeding which gave us
Cyanobacteria problems (all better now -- FAQs!). Between the tang and the clown (we named him "Piglet") all food thrown in the tank basically vanishes. How much food should we give? In particular, how much
Nori for the tang?
<To the point the fish doesn't appear concave... thin>
Also, in what form: one big hunk, diced up small, etc? I've been feeding about 1-2 square inches per day of the
Nori, playing around with a few big hunks versus chopped fine. It all seems to vanish.
(2) We bought the Randall's pistol shrimp in combination with a Stonogobiops yasha (white-rayed shrimp goby or "Yasha Hase" goby). They lived together for a while then decided to move apart. Then the goby decided it liked the carpet better and we got expensive reef jerky :( The shrimp is still happily maintaining and expanding his burrow. Three weeks ago we got him another friend (same species of goby). The goby backed into the shrimp's hole -- and was never seen again. Perhaps reef jerky again?
<Or a shrimp meal>
Never found him -- maybe the cats did. In any case, we have secured the tank with taped-down screen and are ready to try again. Do you know what species of goby are compatible with this shrimp?
<Mmm, there are in print lists of naturally occurring hosts... but in captivity, many if not most "shrimp gobies" can/will learn to associate... See WWM re the various genera, species here>
In particular, is Randall's shrimp goby?
<Yes>
(Seems likely from the name but you never know). Any other recommendations based on availability, personality, compatibility, maintainability?
<Nope>
(3) Lastly, would a six-line wrasse be a good match for this tank? I love those guys.
<Perhaps, but may work your alpheid woe. Bob Fenner>
Goby/Prawn Association...The Best-Laid Plans... 09/13/2005
Hello,
<Hi there! Scott F. with you today!>
I bought a Randall's Shrimp Goby about 2 weeks ago, and it hasn't been
hiding very much. It picked a great spot right in front of the tank in a small
cave to make its home. It has been making a little burrow for itself and I
decided to add a Tiger Pistol Shrimp. As soon as I dropped the shrimp into my
tank, the pair took off together to the back corner of the tank and were digging
a tunnel within a minute.
<Amazing behavior, huh?>
Now, I can't see them except in a small reflection on the glass, and am
wondering if I can do something to get them to move, it has only been a few
hours now... Thanks for any help you could give me
<Unfortunately, this is just another one of those cases where the fish are
"calling the shots"! Despite our desires, they'll do exactly what is best for
them, without regards to the aesthetic issues for the hobbyist! Unfortunately, I
really don't have a course of action for you. Attempting to get the animals to
move would be cruel and disruptive. In a way, this is a neat situation. Let me
explain: Some of the best aquariums that I've ever seen have lots of little
pockets of life and activity throughout that make for fascinating viewing
experiences. Very natural and very interesting! I say just enjoy it...Part of
the allure of this hobby is the little things that you see in a well-established
tank...Surprising little discoveries that keep our hobby exciting and fun! Enjoy
it! Regards, Scott F.>
Pistol Shrimp and goby info 9/8/05
Hello I have a Hi Fin Red Striped Goby (Stonogobiops nematodes) and I was
wondering what species of pistol shrimp it will host with. <As a general rule,
most commensal shrimps will pair with most commensal gobies. We know that you
have a commensal goby, but outside of the common shrimps, it is often hard to be
sure. The ultimate test is to see if the shrimp evicts the goby. In rare
cases, an especially aggressive shrimp may actually kill an especially insistent
goby, so keep a close eye!>
I was also wondering if you could help me Identify a pistol shrimp I have
gotten. I ordered it from Etropicals but am not sure what it is. After
looking at the pics it looks more like the Japanese Pistol Shrimp on
Liveaquaria. But I don't remember it having red and white claws and tail (on the
tip). It also reminded me of the Bull's Eye but it didn't have dark purple
looking pincers and it didn't have the brown bull's eye on the sides. I'm sorry
this isn't very good info but its really all I got I didn't think to take a pic of
it while acclimating and as you know its hiding lol. So any help at all would
be appreciated. <Unfortunately, this is often difficult even with a picture. If
you are a member of a local aquarium society, ask if anyone has back issues of
"Aquarium Fish" magazine. Scott Michael wrote a great series of articles on
these fish/shrimp pairs a couple of years ago. Best Regards. AdamC.>
Goby and corals 8/24/05
Dear Bob,
As if you haven't given me enough help and advice I need a bit more. My
yellow watchman goby has been hanging out mostly at the top of my tank.
<He's beat... from appearance and behavior evidence>
I noticed that his fan dorsal fins and tail are frayed (see pic). Is
this fin and tail rot?
<Mmm, no... not directly...>
If so what is the best medicine to use for saltwater tanks.
<Find out who/what is beating this fish>
He does disappear during the day under rock work but is usually around
the top.
I also have a few soft corals (i believe see pic)
<Only beat fish shown>
which were doing fine until one morning i found them pinned by a rock.
Where it was pinned it had turned all white and dead looking. One piece
I had to amputate because it was hanging by a thread. The one I had to
amputate is brown underneath and still has polyps out? will it
regenerate?
Thanks for your help.
Jason
<Will regenerate in good care. Bob Fenner>
|
|
 |
Goby and corals Part 2
Dear Bob,
<I have another friend named Babylon btw (Babble-On, Kevin, in HI)>
Thanks for your quick response.
<Welcome>
I have noticed my Chromis blue damsel pushing him around and out of his hiding places. Its not everywhere he goes, but it is a place he
frequently visits.
What is the best way to deal with this? should i remove the damsel, because i refuse to ditch the Watchman Goby.
<I'd take the Damsel out>
My fish in their are 2 percula clowns. 1 yellow tail damsel, another type of
damsel (yellow top, white body and blue fins), mandarin dragonet and a yellow
tang.
No other fish seem to bother him though.
Thanks for your advice and help
Jason
<Bob Fenner>
|
Valenciennea puellaris and Amblyeleotris guttata compatibility
11/17/05
I had a Valenciennea puellaris that jumped from my tank, so I had my LFS order another, but his supplier sent him Amblyeleotris guttata instead.
<Not unusual to have suppliers mix gobies up>
My questions are: 1) would these 2 fish be compatible in a 135g system?
<Mmm, yes, should get along>
Since the diamond watchman and the spotted prawn look so similar, I didn't know if that might cause them to fight.
<Not likely>
2) I believe I had sufficient 'pods for the puellaris (they are -everywhere- both amphipods and copepods, very easy to find all over the rocks, glass,
sand, any time of day). I have about 3-4" of sugar-sized sand throughout, and the live rock offers a lot of places for things to hide (very porous and
stacked to make crevices). My concern is if they both eat 'pods that I would not have enough. I planned to add a refugium within the next 2
months, but do not have one yet. Would these two fish compete for food?
<Not to the point of starvation here>
3) I know the puellaris likes finer sand than the guttata - would it be possible to put some more coarse sand/gravel on one side for the prawn goby
and keep just the finer sand at the other end for the puellaris to encourage them to stay on different sides of the tank?
<I would not add, mix the substrates>
Thanks!
Scott Hardin
<Try as the system is currently. Should be fine. Bob Fenner>
Stocking List: Marine Compatibility 10/20/05
Will the Yellow Watchman Goby get along with another goby in the same tank?
<Depends on the exact species, may quarrel with other substrate dwelling
gobies.>
I'm also interested in a Copperband Butterfly.
<This fish has a lot of trouble adjusting to captivity and captive foods, and
this too may be to large for your current system.>
I know they can be difficult to fed but would it get along with everyone I have
in the tank now?
<Generally yes but remember its never a 100% guarantee.>
Any opinions on Anthias? I was thinking about the Square Spot Anthias.
<Suffers from poor collection but usually does well (in my experience) in
comparison to its relatives, feed three times a day as this is a planktivore and
research, this fish too can grow considerably large.>
One more question..............my Yellow Watchman doesn't seem to like flake
food. He does like brine shrimp but I know that isn't really that great for
him. <No it isn’t, mostly composed of exoskeleton and water.> Any other foods I
should try?
<Frozen Mysis.>
THANKS! FAQ Crew
<…And this time I WILL remember my name, Adam J.>