View Full Version : gobs of gobies
LoyalConvict
06/30/2009, 05:15 AM
ok a very brief history , a few questions, and my thoughts
history: me and my girlfriend set up a 75 gallon with a 30 gallon fuge a little over a month ago. i used 30-35 lbs of rock from my fuge and an ice cream bucket or 2 of chaeto and a few cups of sand. and plan on getting 50-100 lbs of marco rocks.
my thoughts: what i envision is to have a pair (2) of each
brown clown gobie's
citrinis or citron clown gobie's (depends what site your on)
green clown gobie's
panda clown gobie's (just freakin awsome)
catalina gobie's
1 wheeler watchman gobie and pistol shrimp
a blenny (currently undecided)
and a volitan lion fish - i'm kidding of course
alredy have a perc clown (currenlty in my tank as it has been a resident for a year)and a flame angel
questions:
1) i know that sounds like alot of fish but they are pretty small, apart from the angel. but does this sound feasible?
2) i'm worried about the perc as it is kind of an (expletive deleted) and a little worried about the pistol shrimp
3) sexing the clowns, is there a distingushable way to tell the difference?
4) i figure a (6 month to 1 year period to add all these guys) depending upon ammonia spikes and cycling time
5) your thoughts, input, and advice, is welcome and pleaded for
thank you for reading and TIA for replying
redfishsc
06/30/2009, 05:27 AM
Right off hand I'd say you may have a lot of territorial squabbles.
However, beware the Catalina goby Make sure that, if you decide to buy them, they were collected in a further-south area. Many catalinas are caught in waters that are a good bit colder than our reef tanks and they often die after a couple of months.
I have some friends with catalinas in their reef, and they were caught in the Carolinas, and they seem to be doing well for the past 6 months or so. Carolina water temps in the summer go way over 80, so warm water isn't a problem for them.
LoyalConvict
06/30/2009, 05:42 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15279859#post15279859 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redfishsc
Right off hand I'd say you may have a lot of territorial squabbles.
However, beware the Catalina goby Make sure that, if you decide to buy them, they were collected in a further-south area. Many catalinas are caught in waters that are a good bit colder than our reef tanks and they often die after a couple of months.
I have some friends with catalinas in their reef, and they were caught in the Carolinas, and they seem to be doing well for the past 6 months or so. Carolina water temps in the summer go way over 80, so warm water isn't a problem for them.
thanks for the advice on the catalinas excelent input. i never really considered squables betwean the gobie's, i thought about it for 2 minutes but thats as far as it got. but thats because when i first set up my 90 i had 2 green clown gobie's and 2 black clown gobie's and the never bothered eachother. i ended up giving them away 6 months later as i've read they like to perch on SPS' and pairs of them tear the skin off SPS corals and decided to get rid of them before i went to a reef system. but then again that was 4 compared to 10.
Elysia
06/30/2009, 09:19 AM
I thought Catalina gobies were Pacific fish, that tend to be caught in cool California and Mexico waters?
There are so many cool gobies -- why narrow yourself to one body shape?
macchicks
06/30/2009, 09:30 AM
Asking questions for your and my knowledge I love clown gobies and would like to do something similar on a smaller scale.
how are you finding a pair? Just buying two and hoping?I never see them offered as male or female individuals like they do with anthias.
I know some listing for clown gobys say they may be aggresive to other like them, Does that mean only to others that are the same color or just all other clown gobies?
Ritten
06/30/2009, 09:40 AM
I'm doing the same thing with a goby tank, I love the little guys. I have decided against any kind of blenny. I have observed them pick on gobies too many timesto chance it. I had luck putting pairs of gobies in a large tank (62 gallon), but never a smaller tank without fighting, I did not observe them actually pairing up in the larger tank. I don't know if you follow Paul B's 35 year old reef tank thread or not, but I just asked him how many gobies he has in his 100 and he thought about 17. You may need to feed with a turkey baster to make sure and get food down to each goby near their caves.
sikpupy
06/30/2009, 11:31 AM
I thought I read that the clown gobies were like Nemo clowns and sex on the dominant/submissive theory. I have basically the same setup of fish you talk about. I have a O clown/chalk bass/YWG/blue-pinkspot/lawnmower bleny/midas blenny in the DT. In my QT, which they will go into the DT tonight... a whelers watchman, 2 yellows and 2 green clown gobies. The yellows have seemed to work something out and i sometimes see them side by side together. Green gobies, not so much. We will see what they do in the 90 tonight, lol.
macchicks
06/30/2009, 12:12 PM
sikpupy thank you for that knowledge. I am going to have to try again to research that.
LoyalConvict
06/30/2009, 02:27 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15280816#post15280816 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Elysia
I thought Catalina gobies were Pacific fish, that tend to be caught in cool California and Mexico waters?
There are so many cool gobies -- why narrow yourself to one body shape?
i just like the way clown gobie's kinda hop around, and the girl friend has some say in it too, and the panda clown and citrin clown where my first suggestions, and she isnt all to keen on the other gobie's....and she says and i quote "well if you really want that, then put it in your tank" so the clown gobies are a very mutual choice...plus i have a few reefer buddys out here that will take some free fish. or if i "decide" that "they dont like eachother and we gotta get a few out of there" or if WE decide we would like a different look
LoyalConvict
06/30/2009, 02:33 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15281569#post15281569 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sikpupy
I thought I read that the clown gobies were like Nemo clowns and sex on the dominant/submissive theory. I have basically the same setup of fish you talk about. I have a O clown/chalk bass/YWG/blue-pinkspot/lawnmower bleny/midas blenny in the DT. In my QT, which they will go into the DT tonight... a whelers watchman, 2 yellows and 2 green clown gobies. The yellows have seemed to work something out and i sometimes see them side by side together. Green gobies, not so much. We will see what they do in the 90 tonight, lol.
thanks for the info...i know i need to do alot of googling and reading, i'd like it if you would be so kind as to keep me posted on the out come of your tank over the next few weeks or days if any teritorial squables insue, or just harassment in general
i love your fish selection
LoyalConvict
06/30/2009, 02:37 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15280927#post15280927 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ritten
I'm doing the same thing with a goby tank, I love the little guys. I have decided against any kind of blenny. I have observed them pick on gobies too many timesto chance it. I had luck putting pairs of gobies in a large tank (62 gallon), but never a smaller tank without fighting, I did not observe them actually pairing up in the larger tank. I don't know if you follow Paul B's 35 year old reef tank thread or not, but I just asked him how many gobies he has in his 100 and he thought about 17. You may need to feed with a turkey baster to make sure and get food down to each goby near their caves.
i was thinking of a starry blenny / segmented sailfin or a plain ole' sailfin blenny... i dont know if these are the ones you were refering too. and i have browesd through pauls therad before, but i did forget that he had tons of gobie's i'll be reading through that thread later. thanks for the reply and input
sikpupy
06/30/2009, 03:13 PM
Your welcome, always like to help with what I know. Again though, just double check on the sexing thing as there is always conflicting info out there. I am trying to grow Gracilaria and getting total opposite ways/ends of the spectrum for optimal growth info, grrrrrrrrrr!!!
As of now, everyone has settled down. My pink and blue spot is on the left side of my tank (if you do a search for my "how does my tank look" thread, you will see the tank.) in the front area under the rock with the two shrooms on it. I added him and my YWG a week later. Ol YWG likes to be on the left side next to the glass but Spot doe snot like that. He chases him away, but, YWG returns. Spot finally puts up with him as long as he stays middle to back area. He can even scoot along the glass towards the front as long as he does it slooooowly. If YWG moves around too much, Spot will come out and chase him off again.
As far as the blennys go, the sailfin chased the yellow goby around a little, but, now not so much. I have the basic sailfin blenny, aka lawnmower blenny. Not sure if sailfin is adjusted and does not care anymore or that YWG is on the left side and out of sailfins line of sight. My Midas bugged, but not chased, my sailfin around. She casualy comes over to him and stares him in the eye, which in turn makes him flee. Kind of like "my finger is right next to your nose but I am not touching you". Or even "hey baby, whats a fish like you doing in a place like this?". Maybe I should put on a little love music and see what kind of blenny babies I can get? :lol:
Chalk bass is territorial of his over hang you see in the picture on the right side 1/4-1/3 way up. He would chase my diamond (RIP) if he came near.
Now, everone is happy and doing good.
sikpupy
06/30/2009, 05:14 PM
Okay, just got home and loaded them up. No one paid any attention to the yellows. One yellow was "behind top" where chalk bass was and chalk popped up to see him, looked around and was like "hugh....okay". I belive yellows have paird as one swam right to the other from across the tank and new right where the other yellow was under some rocks. They then moved together to the back of the tank and clung to the tank wall together, but, now moved off, after 3 minutes, in differant directions. Clown stared at one yellow close up for a sec like "what the????". Wheelers goby went into Spot and YWG territory. Spot casualy chased wheeler to YWG and YWG has his mouth wide open and was kind of crawling on top of wheeler and bucking him, to get him to move. Took wheeler a bit to get the message to MOVE! Wheeler is now in the front middle of the tank up against the glass with chalk bass watching it closely. Two green gobies vanished, MIA at this point. Up, its 30 minutes later and my friend says she found one, lol.
Time will tell how this saga plays out. I am still wanting to get a tangora goby and a diamond goby :) .
LoyalConvict
06/30/2009, 05:39 PM
first off, i would have to recomend some barry white for "love music".
second, as far as i can tell you are right. all i've read in the past 2 hours that most if not all clown gobie's start life off as female's and if they pair up the larger one would turn male, unless a smaller male was introduced to a new female mate that is larger.
third, thank you for the detailed observation of your fish. i havent been able to find your thread, i've tried the reef central google search but with no avail. i'll search again later using the usual search function... i'm glad everything is working out for you so far, my optimism is peaking at this point.
and as redfish stated, catalina's are a colder water fish, and i think i'm not getting em. the hottest tank recomended is 74 but prefer 50's and 60's
sikpupy
06/30/2009, 05:47 PM
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1659803
Yea, i was about to get a catalina myself till I saw that. Second choice "might" be http://liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+31+1728&pcatid=1728
Then there are these small ones, but mine keep getting eaten or squashed on delivery :mad2: :rolleye1: http://liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+31+2613&pcatid=2613
LoyalConvict
06/30/2009, 06:01 PM
i like the red stripe i recomended that to the girl friend but got a big negative on that i had to plead to get the wheelers watch man pistol shrimp combo. and the gold neon is ok, but again the GF is paying half for everything so i'll have to get her input
I just checked out your tank i like the look, kinda dense though in my opinion, but I LOVE all the little cracks and caves in it
and i LMAO when i read this...
339 views and 17 comments? That means there are 322 negatives out there (cause all the ones in here are posotive) since everyone here I am sure does not say anything at all if they cant say anything nice. Come on, need to hear some negative, I know it is out there, its all good! Heck, the snails think it looks horrible! Why else would they be in the overflow trying to get away? One just shot himself because he could not take the embarrassment
after the brewers game i'll post a few pics of the 75 and the 90
sikpupy
06/30/2009, 06:30 PM
Thanks, yea, it is a little dense, wanted a lot of rock for biologial filteration. Rock has a LOT of tiny porous holes, nooks and crannies for bacteria to grow and water to flow. Been looking it over and think I need to open some of the crevices in the rock work a little. Wish the shot came out a little better as there are billions of holes that would easily fit gobies to crawl through all day. Its like goby jungle gym heaven in there. Some rocks have chambers where they could rest and have a beer with a few friends in side the rockwork.
Well, I know one thing.... I am definitly getting my tangora as there is still places on the sand left for rent with option to buy, lol.
LobsterOfJustice
06/30/2009, 08:07 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15283798#post15283798 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LoyalConvict
i like the red stripe i recomended that to the girl friend but got a big negative on that i had to plead to get the wheelers watch man pistol shrimp combo. and the gold neon is ok, but again the GF is paying half for everything so i'll have to get her input
I just checked out your tank i like the look, kinda dense though in my opinion, but I LOVE all the little cracks and caves in it
and i LMAO when i read this...
339 views and 17 comments? That means there are 322 negatives out there (cause all the ones in here are posotive) since everyone here I am sure does not say anything at all if they cant say anything nice. Come on, need to hear some negative, I know it is out there, its all good! Heck, the snails think it looks horrible! Why else would they be in the overflow trying to get away? One just shot himself because he could not take the embarrassment
after the brewers game i'll post a few pics of the 75 and the 90
Alright, I'll bite.
Boring tank.
Your girlfriend said it - it's your tank, put whatever you want in it.
A tank full of gobies is kind of cool - but why limit yourself. If your going to do it, at least get some diversity in body form. If the girlfriend wants a few clown gobies, that's fine, but that doesnt mean that has to be the only fish in the tank. I'd get some evoita/trimma gobies, some watchman gobies, dartfish, etc. And honestly I'd get a few other small fish too just for diversity (chromis, cardinals, talbot/alleni damsels).
reefboy1994
06/30/2009, 08:37 PM
will the lionfish mistake the gobies as food???
reefboy1994
06/30/2009, 08:38 PM
whoops i read that wrong, he says hes kidding
LoyalConvict
06/30/2009, 10:00 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15284587#post15284587 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LobsterOfJustice
Alright, I'll bite.
Boring tank.
Your girlfriend said it - it's your tank, put whatever you want in it.
A tank full of gobies is kind of cool - but why limit yourself. If your going to do it, at least get some diversity in body form. If the girlfriend wants a few clown gobies, that's fine, but that doesnt mean that has to be the only fish in the tank. I'd get some evoita/trimma gobies, some watchman gobies, dartfish, etc. And honestly I'd get a few other small fish too just for diversity (chromis, cardinals, talbot/alleni damsels).
technicly its her tank. my tank i wouldnt wanna risk adding clown gobie's...tonight i put the percula clown in there with the flame angel, right now we are thinking of this....
2 black clown gobie's
2 citron clown gobie's
2 green clown gobie's
2 panda clown gobie's
instead of a wheelers we are thinking of a yasha shrimp gobie and a pistol shrimp
1 starry blenny
and we are still looking at what else we can agree upon
i was able to talk her out of the brown clown gobie's. along with the catalina gobie's
it's hard trying to find a some thing we both like. except all the larger angels we both love em but i wouldnt wanna jam one in a 75 same goes for most tangs.
i'm trying to talk her into a pair of helfrichi fire fish but its hard work
and no way would i ever add a damsel to any tank. or chromis'. i had 7 chromis' 4 years ago to first cycle my 90 for 2 months or so and after that gave them all away. and cardinals? come on now.
when we started setting this up she was saying yes to all the fish i would show her at first we were gonna do this
1 flame angel
1 red velvet wrasse
1 Neon Pseudochromis
1 Labout's Fairy Wrasse
1 starry blenny
and either a Juvenile Mimic Lemon Peel Tang or a Juvenile Achilles Tang
but things change. and i learn to cope with slimming options
although i do apreaciate your input, but if it is "boring" as you so elegently put it. i'm not afraid to give fish away and replace with something new. i've already given away 2 coral beauty's and a flame angel, as each one i added would nip at corals and was hoping to get lucky. along with the 7 chsomis' a red scooter blenny and a plain old scooter blenny. oh and a gold sleeper head goby. i think thats all of em. and if this sounded cocky and condescending i'm sorry it was not intended that way
LoyalConvict
06/30/2009, 10:03 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15283993#post15283993 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sikpupy
Thanks, yea, it is a little dense, wanted a lot of rock for biologial filteration. Rock has a LOT of tiny porous holes, nooks and crannies for bacteria to grow and water to flow. Been looking it over and think I need to open some of the crevices in the rock work a little. Wish the shot came out a little better as there are billions of holes that would easily fit gobies to crawl through all day. Its like goby jungle gym heaven in there. Some rocks have chambers where they could rest and have a beer with a few friends in side the rockwork.
Well, I know one thing.... I am definitly getting my tangora as there is still places on the sand left for rent with option to buy, lol.
the Tangaroa Goby is pretty cool looking, and i like the way you think
LobsterOfJustice
07/01/2009, 09:00 AM
Not sure what your aversion to chromis or cardinals is - but the talbot/alleni damsels are not aggressive like the rest of their kin.
Paul B
07/01/2009, 12:18 PM
To keep those clown gobies long term I hatch brine shrimp every day. They don't eat much of anything else except an occasional worm.
I don't know how to sex them, I just put a bunch together, some fight, those would be the males.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh270/urchsearch/Gobieggs010-1.jpg
These watchmans are cool but they turn brown as they age. I have a pair of them breeding.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh270/urchsearch/tank007.jpg
These bumblebee gobies are very cool and cost 3 bucks. They are sold in fresh water but you could acclimate them in a few hours. I have five of themhttp://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh270/urchsearch/Gobieggs007.jpg
I also like these guys, and they eat anything and mind their own business
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh270/urchsearch/Gobieggs014.jpg
These green ones don't swim much and they don't live as long as most of the others
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh270/urchsearch/cleantank002.jpg
These are common and cheap
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh270/urchsearch/Gobieggs005-1.jpg
I would stay away from the Catilina gobi though, not really tropical
:rolleyes:
LoyalConvict
07/01/2009, 05:02 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15286814#post15286814 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LobsterOfJustice
Not sure what your aversion to chromis or cardinals is - but the talbot/alleni damsels are not aggressive like the rest of their kin.
Sorry for being so dismissive, but the Talbot Damsel is actually pretty cool. As for the cardinals, I just don’t like their shape, and their lackadaisical swimming. and chromis' are just kinda bland and generic looking for the most part. I wouldn’t mind a shoal of them but they generally kill off one another unless kept in smaller groups "3 or so" from what I’ve read and the general knowledge I have. and damsels I was basically grouping them in one pile as super aggressive... when it comes to deciding what will go in the tank its about 99% no from her. So it’s frustrating when people make all kinds of suggestions of fish both of us have been through. I’m not saying I don’t want suggestions I’d love to have 50 selections of fish that are not normally listed, like all that’s at LA, blue zoo, salt water fish, and so forth. A lot of those we have been through, except obviously the damsels and cardinals, And larger aggressive fish. As I know clown gobies would make a lovely treat for a lot of them. But I’m just trying to find common ground and be happy.
LoyalConvict
07/01/2009, 05:08 PM
Paul, I was reading your thread and saw the Bumble Bee Goby, and hope to trade out the black clowns with 2 of these guys, I went to live aquaria to check them out in the brackish water section and noticed the prehistoric dragon goby and was wondering if anyone knows if those can also be kept in salt water? Paul your tank is awesome. And you definitely know what you’re doing to keep it going for over 35 years. And I have already dismissed the addition of the Catalina because they like colder waters 50's to 60's
Paul B
07/01/2009, 06:32 PM
I was going to add a dragon gobi but they get too large for what I like
I think they would do fine though if you like them
sikpupy
07/01/2009, 06:50 PM
Paul B - 4th picture down, the red/white wheeler goby..... What does his eyes look like? take a look real close if you can, ll angles. Are they clear? Mine look cloudy in my DT. I did not notice them in the QT and now he bolted into the rock work. If it is flukes i am gonna be ****ed as i passed on the prazi treatment. I wanted to ask but i did not think anyone had one, so, if you dont mind doing me a favor....
thanks
Paul B
07/02/2009, 03:47 AM
I have to wait until the lights come on about 10:00am
I am sure they would be clear, cloudy eyes are a bacterial infection usually seen with either flukes, ich, or a number of other maladys.
In this picture they don't really look real clear though.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh270/urchsearch/Gobieggs011.jpg
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh270/urchsearch/Gobieggs010.jpg
sikpupy
07/02/2009, 06:54 AM
Mine was in hypo, so, I would be suprised if it was flukes. Thats why I was thinking it just may be a/the gobies genetic trait to have not so clear eyes, but, all other fish have clear eyes, sooooo....
Only way to find out is to ask somoene that has had one for a while, lol.
Yea, when you get a chance to check him out, would appreciate it, thanks.
Update on the rest... Green clowns are MIA for the most part. I saw one scoot up and over some rocks yesterday but that was the last sighting. Maybe if you get 10 green ones, you might see them more often as they move around :rolleyes: . Yellows hang out with each other 50% of the time. The other time they just go thier ways.
LobsterOfJustice
07/02/2009, 01:29 PM
Fair enough. Definitely look into some damsels/chromis though - not all are aggressive, there are a few more that would be okay that I can't think of off the top of my head. And as far as the cardinals - yeah, they mostly do the hovering thing as opposed to active swimming. But they do have some diversity in body form. Check out the differences between these types of cardinals: banggai, red stoplight, orangelined, longspine.
I just feel like your current list is going to look like an empty tank to most people.
LoyalConvict
07/02/2009, 01:49 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15294299#post15294299 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LobsterOfJustice
Fair enough. Definitely look into some damsels/chromis though - not all are aggressive, there are a few more that would be okay that I can't think of off the top of my head. And as far as the cardinals - yeah, they mostly do the hovering thing as opposed to active swimming. But they do have some diversity in body form. Check out the differences between these types of cardinals: banggai, red stoplight, orangelined, longspine.
I just feel like your current list is going to look like an empty tank to most people.
I was looking at the orange lined last night and I actually kind of like it, every time I think of one though I picture a P-J in my head. I’ve been looking into damsels to lately. I appreciate you swaying my opinion on other species of fish. Without you I may have been closed minded for a few more years
Bernie21
07/02/2009, 03:25 PM
I like your idea, I have a 92 corner, I have one or two med to big fish, the rest are tiny gobies, blennys, firefish, sml wrasses & a pair of clowns!! I dont really have territory issues nor should you if you provide several places for them to hide in. Please keep us posted & post up pics when you have your tank stocked...
Paul B
07/02/2009, 06:13 PM
Sikpupy, bad news. Mine has very black, very clear eyes. He is starring at me and smilling even as we speak, (or type)
sikpupy
07/02/2009, 07:12 PM
lol, greeeat! Tell him I said hey :D . I plucked mine out last night (was in for a day) and have him back in QT. I hope 1 day was not enough to transfer anything if he did have something.
Thanks for looking and getting back to me, I appreciate it.
LoyalConvict
07/02/2009, 07:47 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15295996#post15295996 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sikpupy
lol, greeeat! Tell him I said hey :D . I plucked mine out last night (was in for a day) and have him back in QT. I hope 1 day was not enough to transfer anything if he did have something.
Thanks for looking and getting back to me, I appreciate it.
I hope everything works out for ya, between yours and Pauls experience with the greens hiding and not so long lived we are thinking a pair of helfrichi's now
sikpupy
07/02/2009, 08:13 PM
I would still get 4-6 green gobies, there only $7 each, lol. :)
LoyalConvict
07/02/2009, 08:27 PM
we'll poder the thought. i dont think clown gobie's contribute to much to the bio load
LoyalConvict
07/02/2009, 08:52 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15294871#post15294871 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bernie21
I like your idea, I have a 92 corner, I have one or two med to big fish, the rest are tiny gobies, blennys, firefish, sml wrasses & a pair of clowns!! I dont really have territory issues nor should you if you provide several places for them to hide in. Please keep us posted & post up pics when you have your tank stocked...
It’ll be a while yet, but I’ll update as soon as it gets reasonable stocked. Or maybe sooner...
LobsterOfJustice
07/03/2009, 08:15 AM
I think with a pair of helfrichis, one will kill the other. People on a breeding site I go to have had a lot of trouble getting pairs - sometimes even after pairing up and spawning, they will still fight to the death.
LoyalConvict
07/03/2009, 09:09 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15298192#post15298192 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LobsterOfJustice
I think with a pair of helfrichis, one will kill the other. People on a breeding site I go to have had a lot of trouble getting pairs - sometimes even after pairing up and spawning, they will still fight to the death.
A friend of mine had a pair of them before he moved, I think he only had them a year maybe a year and a half with no skirmish's. He bought them as a mated pair from Live Aquaria I believe. But then again that is only one experience. I appreciate in your insight and advice.
Elysia
07/04/2009, 10:36 AM
I have a green clown goby, and he is always out and about. He is in a 24 gallon, though, with a firefish, a fairy wrasse, a Randall's goby (which is a beautiful goby, by the way)... He is a real good eater, taking mysis and enriched brine. But I haven't been successful getting another one settled into the tank. Its a shame, because I love them.
I love the red head gobies as well.
But remember, fish aren't just their looks. I love my Springer's dottyback. Captive bred, Red Sea dottybacks are not aggressive, and they have very interesting swimming habits and personalities. My Springer's is an awesome fish.
I also have two copper/red-stripe cardinalfish. They have a silver body, and are very peaceful. I have a pair. They are great fish.
My longfin fairy wrasse is a bit smaller than some of the other fairys, and it has a beautiful red color with a nice electric blue line and that nice long filamented dorsal fin.
As for chromis, the small Vanderbilt's chromis has a subtle but beautiful color and is very peaceful.
LoyalConvict
07/04/2009, 05:13 PM
Elysia, thank you for your insight. the green clowns are still a toss up for us. and we're still not sure if we wanna add a pseudochromis to the tank or not.
LoyalConvict
07/04/2009, 05:26 PM
here are some pics... I know its kinda crappy so far but here they are any ways
FTS. I should say ETS :lmao:
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq241/loyalconvict/DSC00053.jpg
sump/fuge 30 gallon (notice the lines I put on there so the GF doesnt over fill or let it get to low) thats ultra high tech!
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq241/loyalconvict/DSC00167.jpg
and skimmer. i'm happy as I picked up the skimmer body an Eshopps 100 (i think) only paid 10 for the body and modded an aqua clear 901 power head. I put a line on there to mark the water level, theres roughly 250 300 GPH going through the skimmer as I have the intake for water throttled back
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq241/loyalconvict/DSC00075.jpg
LoyalConvict
07/09/2009, 04:18 PM
The skimmer body is an Ehopps 150 5" x 22" I know not the greatest, but I was able to build a skimmer for 15 bucks.
Anyways, The girlfreind woke me up this morning begging me to take her to Foster & Smith. the plan was to get a few power heads for the 75, a 10 gallon tank for a QT, Or some silicone to reseal my 20, and order 2 panda clown gobies and 2 citron clown gobies. but when we got there she saw 2 yellow clown gobies and 2 green clown gobies and had to have em. so now i got the 10 gallon up with the lil guys in there. pics. . .
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq241/loyalconvict/DSC00463.jpg
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq241/loyalconvict/DSC00472.jpg
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq241/loyalconvict/DSC00474.jpg
Dave Harms
07/09/2009, 05:04 PM
I like gobies a lot, don't know if I'd want that many clowns tho! You should check out a Randall's goby. That's mine in my avatar. :D
LoyalConvict
07/10/2009, 03:31 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15332227#post15332227 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dave Harms
I like gobies a lot, don't know if I'd want that many clowns tho! You should check out a Randall's goby. That's mine in my avatar. :D
I dont think 8 clown gobies are to many, I know our next purchase is going to be a yasha goby and a red stripe pistol shrimp. I hope any ways, but thats at least a month away and can change at any time. and randalls gobies are cool I know I like em.
LoyalConvict
07/17/2009, 08:10 PM
Ok today i noticed some white-ish yellow-ish spots on the 2 yellow gobies, and in my little bit of research have determined it to be a parasitic copepod. right now i'm in the process of slowly lowering my salinity for hypo... any other input would be appreciated especialy on how to eradicate them. thanks!
I'll try and get better pics later
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq241/loyalconvict/DSC00531.jpg
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq241/loyalconvict/DSC00527.jpg
Chelsey
07/17/2009, 09:16 PM
Bummer on the white spots :( Some people would say treat with copper but you'll get many differing opinions on that too.
sikpupy
07/17/2009, 10:02 PM
If you get a psudo, my god help you. They will chase anything and just about everything in the tank.
You want mine? fat and plump ready for a good home.
LoyalConvict
07/18/2009, 01:15 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15371929#post15371929 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chelsey
Bummer on the white spots :( Some people would say treat with copper but you'll get many differing opinions on that too.
I know Ive been trying to decide between copper and hypo, I tried looking earlier for the best method to treat it and came up empty, but that was only a 20-30 min search. my Sg is only at 1.022 right now so it wouldnt be a big deal to raise it back and treat with copper if that would be the best approach...thank you for the response
LoyalConvict
07/18/2009, 01:20 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15372172#post15372172 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sikpupy
If you get a psudo, my god help you. They will chase anything and just about everything in the tank.
You want mine? fat and plump ready for a good home.
lol, If I can find one thats as passive as my fridmani I'm gonna have to try it out. I know my fridmani sticks around his rock and thats it, only fish he ever bothered was my yellow wrasse as every 30 minutes or so he would go wondering over that way looking from stuff ta eat and get chased off.
sikpupy
07/18/2009, 06:44 AM
I am not sure if mine is a fridmani or a purple, but, he goes around "looking" for anything and everything. Under rocks, in crevices.....wherever! Its like man, sometimes I wish he would look in a rock and then a big ol fish just chase him down and eat him, only to teach him a lesson, lol, but, he is out of the tank now so its really no big deal other than having to have a seperate tank for him.
macchicks
07/18/2009, 06:47 AM
My clown goby would collect microbubbles on the skin. It was very hard to tell it was a bubble untill seeing one knock loose and float away. I see bubbles in the tank so double check.
Paul B
07/18/2009, 07:05 AM
That clown gobi has Cryptocaryon irritans, it is not ich but almost the same except the life cycle is different and the spots, (paracites) are larger.
The best treatment for this is quinicrine hydrocloride if you can get it. It is for malaria in humans and is a prescription drug. If you know a Dr. he can write you a prescription.
The dose is 10 mg/gal for 10 days.
You can use this in your main tank if you have no corals or anemones.
Crustaceans like crabs, shrimp and feather dusters are tollerant to the drug.
This treatment will eradicate the paracite from your tank but it will turn the water yellow for a few days. After the treatment you can add carbon which will remove the quinicrine. You do not have to change the water.
I have used this numerous times but I can't really get it anymore as my friendly pharmacict moved.
johnike
07/18/2009, 07:53 AM
Been following this thread because I'm leaning in the same direction. My only fish in the 180 are an old blue spotted yellow watchman, a bi-color blenny, purple mandarin, green mandarin and a starry blenny I just picked up this week. I think a large tank with lots af smaller fish is great idea. Working up a stocking list while listening to everyone else's great input.
LoyalConvict
07/18/2009, 10:42 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15372965#post15372965 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sikpupy
I am not sure if mine is a fridmani or a purple, but, he goes around "looking" for anything and everything. Under rocks, in crevices.....wherever! Its like man, sometimes I wish he would look in a rock and then a big ol fish just chase him down and eat him, only to teach him a lesson, lol, but, he is out of the tank now so its really no big deal other than having to have a seperate tank for him.
a fridmani will show more of a metalic coloration along with with a black stripe running from the top of the mouth through the eye and ending shortly after that... and its always nice to have another tank setup ;)
LoyalConvict
07/18/2009, 10:50 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15373016#post15373016 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paul B
That clown gobi has Cryptocaryon irritans, it is not ich but almost the same except the life cycle is different and the spots, (paracites) are larger.
The best treatment for this is quinicrine hydrocloride if you can get it. It is for malaria in humans and is a prescription drug. If you know a Dr. he can write you a prescription.
The dose is 10 mg/gal for 10 days.
You can use this in your main tank if you have no corals or anemones.
Crustaceans like crabs, shrimp and feather dusters are tollerant to the drug.
This treatment will eradicate the paracite from your tank but it will turn the water yellow for a few days. After the treatment you can add carbon which will remove the quinicrine. You do not have to change the water.
I have used this numerous times but I can't really get it anymore as my friendly pharmacict moved.
Paul, your insight is very much appreaciated as always. My sister-in-law works as a pharmacict but i dont think i'm gonna go that route. I was reading here...
http://www.fishvet.com/Cryptocaryon.htm
and they recomend using a copper based medication and they refer to No-Ich as a good cannidate to treat Cryptocaryon irritans
and i already have a bottle of Rid-Ich from when i treated my purple tang for Ich. Unless there is something better, than i can go and pick it up... I already starting raising my Sg back up... again thank you
LoyalConvict
07/18/2009, 10:57 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15373155#post15373155 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by johnike
Been following this thread because I'm leaning in the same direction. My only fish in the 180 are an old blue spotted yellow watchman, a bi-color blenny, purple mandarin, green mandarin and a starry blenny I just picked up this week. I think a large tank with lots af smaller fish is great idea. Working up a stocking list while listening to everyone else's great input.
can you post a pic of your purple mandarin? my search came up epty. I only wish I had a 180 to work with, I would go with about 20-30 different species of gobie's and then sum. and do you ever notice your mandarins having squabbles together?
johnike
07/18/2009, 12:21 PM
Just a garden variety psychadelic mandarin. Never have a problem unless you get two males together. Goby madness is approaching, I thing I'll start with this rainford I saw when picking up the starry blenny. There's a new LFS twenty miles away that looks very promising, fish selection is incredible and all look healthy.
LoyalConvict
07/18/2009, 01:15 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15374209#post15374209 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by johnike
Just a garden variety psychadelic mandarin. Never have a problem unless you get two males together. Goby madness is approaching, I thing I'll start with this rainford I saw when picking up the starry blenny. There's a new LFS twenty miles away that looks very promising, fish selection is incredible and all look healthy.
lol, "goby madness" I wish a new LFS would open closer to me right now i have a 45 minute drive to get to mine. there's a pet-co a little over an hour away but the last time i went there all the fish looked like they were on the brink of death and when i asked the kid working there what the salinity was in the tanks and how often they check params. he said "huh?"... I hope your new LFS works out. and as you probably already know make sure the rainford is eating prepared foods, i bought one around 2 years ago and wouldnt eat anything. i dont even recall seeing him eat any filamentous algae, and slowly starved to death. but at that time i wasnt the greatest care giver so it could of been my poor husbandry habits which led to its demise. I wish you the best on your upcoming purchase
johnike
07/18/2009, 01:29 PM
Yeah, I'm in the middle of nowhere too. Have to drive to LaSalle/Peru Il to get salt, and livegoods. Where in Wi are you? Can't wait to fund Gobyland here pretty soon, feels like a fun new direction. BTW, Blue Zoo has Pandas, have you got yours yet?
LoyalConvict
07/18/2009, 02:03 PM
I live in Pearson WI population - 13, I only go to Drs. Foster and Smith up in rhinelander and have them order the fish I want, most the time they can get what I ask for and only tack on a few bucks for shipping. as far as the panda's i'll have to wait till I get these other clowns out of QT before I add any more, but those along with a starry blenny are next on the list, after that i'm going for either a yasha goby pistol shrimp pair, or the girl friend really wants a pair of purple fire fish... lol I had the panda gobies from blue zoo bookmarked, I had to check to see what site I saw those on, I was really close to ordering them one day but we ended up getting the green and yellows and then I talked with aaron at D.F.S. and he said he could probably order the panda gobies cos they use to carry them. thanks for lookin out though
LoyalConvict
07/18/2009, 03:06 PM
here's a little better pic of the infestation...
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq241/loyalconvict/Untitled-1-2.jpg
I sent the ol' lady to get some no-ich and when she got back i put 2 and 2 together, that web site i posted earlier recomended no-ich by Fish-vet I'm thinking mainly because it was posted at fish-vet.com :rolleyes: the only other copper based medication i have is rid-ich maybe i'll give the no-ich a try and if no results in the next few days after i start treating i'll change the water re-aclimate the fish and try hypo or rid-ich. :hmm5:
Paul B
07/18/2009, 05:43 PM
Good luck, keep in mind that "Fish Vet" who wrote that article sells "No Ich"
I hope it works for you.
burton14e7
07/18/2009, 06:30 PM
barnacle blennys are pretty dope
LoyalConvict
07/18/2009, 09:16 PM
before the brewers game I got the Sg back to 1.025 took all day to raise it and I just dosed 0.75 Oz of No-Ich. I'm not very optamistic and dont expect results, but we shall see
Burton, the barnacle blennies are freakin awesome, and I think they just make thier way onto the list
LoyalConvict
07/20/2009, 12:58 PM
O.k. a few days after dosing No-Ich and so far it looks as if it is working ( as far as preliminary results go ) the infestation cleared up by about 60-70 percent. and they are still eating and behaving as they have since I got them.
sikpupy
07/20/2009, 04:55 PM
Thats cool! Once it looks cleared, you should do the tank shuffle on them for 2 weeks.
Yea, my psudo is ALL purple, not like you describe, and a mean mean b*st*rd he is! lol
LoyalConvict
07/20/2009, 10:49 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15385590#post15385590 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sikpupy
Thats cool! Once it looks cleared, you should do the tank shuffle on them for 2 weeks.
Tank shuffle? My apologies as Im just a lamen, I always liked the color of the purple pseudo's, I'm debating whether or not to try a cypho purpurascens, freakin BEAutiful! fish
http://eol.org/pages/205991
Here's a pic of one of the gobie's tonight, not totally cleared up yet, but looking better
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq241/loyalconvict/123.jpg
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