male or female?

[fio1022]

I posted this thread in a different forum about two weeks ago.
I just read your article and wondered if you know why he changed and could she be attracked to the algae blenny?


color transformation
I added a algae blenny last week. A strange thing happened though.
A yellow watchman goby that I've had for about a year disappeared.The next day he reappeared but looking quite different.

before
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/fio1086/c40bfda9.jpg

after

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/fio1086/Picture_1350.jpg


Was wondering if this normal occurrance?

[oceanarus]

Yes this is normal.

As I stated in the article, what is confusing is that I have seen them change color in both directions so sometimes it is really hard to say what exactly this means.

So how long have you had the fish and how big is it? I will say that once they get a bit larger that I have never seen one go from grey to yellow they always go from yellow to grey if they do change. My guess (about 99% sure) is that you have a female watchman goby. If you want to have a pair, find one that looks yellow in color.

Oh and BTW, I doubt that your watchman goby is going to mating with your algea blenny. My guess (somewhat less than 99% sure) is that the watchman felt threatened by the addition of the blenny. Also the female is the more aggressive/dominant one in a pair. Since your watchman felt threatened by the blenny, it's shift to a more dominant/aggressive roll brought out the woman in it ;) (just a guess)

Amy

[BrianPlankis]

Amy,

Great article! YMG are one of my two three favorite fish and I've been looking for a tank raised pair for years. If you ever have any for sale, please let me know!

Brian

[fio1022]

Thanks for the reply.
I'd say she is about 2 1/2" long and I've had her since last December.One of the original fish since the tank was set up.
Funny thing is that I added her because of the striking yellow color.Still a very cool resident.

[milesm]

Hi Amy,

nice article.

what do you feed your adults? i notice you don't have any sand in the rearing tank or the breeding tank. don't they need to sift to get their food? thanks.

[oceanarus]

It is not necessary for them to sift sand for them to get their food, but lately I have wondered if they need some sort of 'ruf***e' in their diet to help them digest their food. We feed them a mixture we make up ourselves which is mostly shrimp, some other seafoods, spirulina, vitamins, etc.

Amy