"You May Call Me 'Yasha,' King of the Stonogobiops"

[lil_mikey69]

Just wanted to let you know that I picked up a Hi Fin Red Banded Goby as well as a Alpheus randalli shrimp. The pair is fasacinating. I just wanted to complement you on your in depth article on them. It was pretty informative.

Keep up the good work.

[Sloeber]

thanks and good luck! be sure to keep us updated of how yours is doing.

[lil_mikey69]

I have one quick question. I basically just have a DSB of what I would call fine sand I suppose. Do you think it would be a good idea to add a few small piles of crushed coral outside of their burrow so the shrimp can use that to strenghten his tunnel walls? I was thinking that may be a good idea, but I figured I'd ask.

Also, they are both doing quite well. They actually seem to be pretty active. Although at this point, they are a bit spoiled. They are really the only inhabitants of the tank besides a peppermint shrimp and some snails and such. The Goby has already eaten quite vigirously on it's second day, which is great because I read one article they may go into hiding for some time and not really appear to eat much. The Goby came out of the burrow immideatly after I put some Cyclop-eze into the tank. The shrimp also made an appearance outside of the burrow.

I should have some pictures of them tomorrow, when I get one I'll defentinally be posting it.

[lil_mikey69]

Not the best picture, but you get the point. They are doing very well. Any input on my crushed coral idea? http://portfolio.iu.edu/mbalunda/Fishy_Stuff/Randalls_Pistol_and_Goby/The_Happy_Couple.jpg

[Sloeber]

sorry for the delay and thanks for the picture.

sure, adding some smaller rubble pieces would be a good idea. any sort of variety would be appreciated by the shrimp.

everybody still doing good?

[lil_mikey69]

They are both doing great. They are out a surprising amount. Although my peppermint shrimp tried to eat my Goby the other day, it was crazy. I got pretty ****ed and chased him away with the net. I was feeding the Goby, and the shrimp came dashing off the rock work and just kept leaping at the Goby while he was grabbing particles from the water. The only thing that worried me was the Goby didn't even seem to care, and had no intrest in hiding in his burrow with the shrimp. The pistol actually snapped at the Peppermint, but it did little to deter him.

Also, thanks for the advice. I'll get some CC in their ASAP.

Also, here are some more pictures. They are all huge, so I'll just post links.

Goby and Peppermint (http://portfolio.iu.edu/mbalunda/Fishy_Stuff/Randalls_Pistol_and_Goby/Goby_and_Peppermint.jpg)

Goby Sideshot (http://portfolio.iu.edu/mbalunda/Fishy_Stuff/Randalls_Pistol_and_Goby/Great_Side_Shot_of_GOby.jpg)

Pretty Funny. Goby "Screaming" (http://portfolio.iu.edu/mbalunda/Fishy_Stuff/Randalls_Pistol_and_Goby/I_Scream_In_Silence.jpg)

La Casa (http://portfolio.iu.edu/mbalunda/Fishy_Stuff/Randalls_Pistol_and_Goby/My_Domain.jpg)

Decent, but fuzzy (http://portfolio.iu.edu/mbalunda/Fishy_Stuff/Randalls_Pistol_and_Goby/Pretty_good.jpg)

All By Myself (http://portfolio.iu.edu/mbalunda/Fishy_Stuff/Randalls_Pistol_and_Goby/Solo.jpg)

[Sloeber]

hey lil mikey,

your goby looks a bit hungry from the "All by Myself" picture. you may wish to ramp up his feeding until he puts some extra weight on.

HTH

[lil_mikey69]

Originally posted by hcs3
hey lil mikey,

your goby looks a bit hungry from the "All by Myself" picture. you may wish to ramp up his feeding until he puts some extra weight on.

HTH

That may be the case. Like you know, I just recently got him so I don't know how he was being fed prior to when I purchased him. He's been eating cyclop-ezee, frozen mysis, and enriched brine twice a day. He loves to eat, so maybe thats the reason. I'll continue feeding like that. I wouldn't be surprised if he's put some "weight" on since then. He's a big eater, and thats probably the reason. I did notice he was a bit skinny in some of the pictures, but he's eating very well, so I haven't been too worried as of yet.

[Sloeber]

ok, cool. just heads up :)

[lil_mikey69]

Should I up the feedings to 3 small ones per day? Or pick up one of the vitamin supplements?

Like I said, he's already eating very well, so I wasn't ever too worried.

[Sloeber]

sorry, had to run to cozumel for a few days :p

smaller, more frequent feedings are always a better option to a single to two larger feedings.

HTH

[lil_mikey69]

Seems as though he's gaining some weight, he actually looks pretty much filled out. I've been feeding twice a day, but maybe I'll go with 3 small feedings instead. He's also happily eating flake food, so everything seems well with him.