1st ever jumper, Engineer goby!!!!

sufunk · 05/06/2007, 07:37 PM

I can't believe it!

I feed my 36g tank a little while ago and dont see my engineer goby. Not unusual as he often doesnt come out for meals but this is his favorite pellets and he always comes out for these. I thought it odd and went to look for him under his normal rock but when i went to the side of the tank to look, there he was, dried out on the floor!!!

Ive had this guy for just over 2 years and LOVED him(even though he would attack me when spot feeding my sun coral). He was an awesome fish, lots of personality. This is the 1st fish ive lost in almost 2 years and 1st to ever jump. Its so weird, he NEVER, never even goes remotely close to the top of the tank???? I dont think ive ever seen him within 6 inches of the top even during feedings. Never in my wildest dreams would i have thought he could jump out. He was always at the bottom of the tank under the rocks in one of his many burrows. I'm so bummed, i cant believe it.

Can't figure out what would make him jump after 2+ years

And on my Birthday no less, although from the look it was probably yesterday or last night at the latest. So weird.

specialkb · 05/06/2007, 08:10 PM

that sucks man. im wanting an engineer goby soo bad, how big was he?

Socotroco · 05/06/2007, 08:20 PM

sometimes, fishes jump when other fish is agressive and attacking fishes. Or maybe when the tank change like water currents, light time, and others.

frederickk · 05/06/2007, 08:23 PM

truly sucks

sufunk · 05/06/2007, 09:03 PM

He was about 7-8 inches. Long but not real wide yet. He was probably my favorite fish

Nothing in the tank changed as far as parameters, lighting , current, etc... I did add a small rock with some orange carnations on it a few days ago but cant imagine that had something to do with it.

The other fish in the tank are a false perc, a midas blenny and a hippo tang. These four have been together in the tank for over 2 years with no problem. Its weird because even if another fish decided to attack him out of the blue, i would have assumed he would go under the rocks and hide not jump out

He had a burrow under every support rock at the bottom of the tank to hide in(at least 5-6) and like i said, seriously in 2 years i dont think i ever saw him within 6-8 inches of the top of the tank even during feedings. He was always at the very bottom of the tank or hiding under the rocks.

Its so weird, i'm so bummed and my 5 year old daughter will be VERY upset tomorrow! Its really gonna suck telling her.

alan214 · 05/07/2007, 07:22 AM

That's too bad, Sufunk. Try to get some eggcrate or other cover on your tank so you don't lose more fish down the road.

sufunk · 05/07/2007, 08:56 AM

I'm considering eggcrate but REALLY hate the way it looks. I went open top about 18 months ago to help with someph and temp issues and was very worried at the time. I have an awesome Midas blenny as well and everyone say he was a major jumping risk. I took the chance because i figured the midas was the only jumper and the tank is kind of covered. Between the coralife light fixture, skimmer, filter and powerheads near the top, there is VERY little room to jump out. It was actually a pretty impressive jump to make it out the little opening he did. The light fixture covers about 75% of the top and i always figured odds were in my favor that they would bounce back in if they ever tried jumping. Unfortunately that chance cost me my little buddy

so i guess eggcrate it is.

Never even imagined that the Engineer would jump being a complete bottom dweller. Anyone else ever heard of a engineer goby jumping???

travdixon · 05/07/2007, 10:54 AM

If my engineer goby ever jumped, that would definitely be a sight to see....he is easily 10 inches long. Never heard of one jumping. Mine is rarely completely out of the rocks, even when feeding.

sufunk · 05/07/2007, 11:08 AM

Same here travdixon. In 2 years i dont think my wife has ever seen the entire engineer. I look at the tank ALL the time and only see his entire body about every 2-3 months. How long have you had yours?

I cant get over how weird it is that he jumped. People with engineers can probably relate, it just seems so unlikely given his behavior and patterns for the last 2 years. Cant figure what made him do this

My only guess is maybe a pellet was floating over there at the surface and he made a dash for the pellet but vastly overestimated his speed. Ive never seen him do anything like that for ANY type of food but cant think of anything else????

p.s.-daughter cried semihysterically for about 20 minutes when she found out he was gone. She wants me to take her to get another today after school but i already know that none of my lfs have any. I hit them all this weekend trying to find b-day pesents for myself.

johnike · 05/07/2007, 03:34 PM

Post on the CMAS Chicago forum.Thers a guy that makes jumper guards.Looks awesome!John

travdixon · 05/08/2007, 10:08 PM

I've had mine for over 5 years. I swear sometimes I think he's blind cuz he won't venture out for anything but food, and even then just eats what floats by his gulping distance! You do know they look very different when young, right? I'm waiting for mine to stick his head out and just open and close his mouth all day, because he is almost identical to an eel.

sufunk · 07/28/2007, 07:55 PM

Well, FINALLY got my replacement today! I didn't want to order one and none of my lfs had gotten any engineer's in forever.

Today, i walk in one of my lfs and the chalkboard says "SALE- Engineer gobies $8"

My daughter was so happy when she came home and saw him acclimating. She ran to my wife and started screaming "MOMMY, MOMMY, an Engineer, an Engineer!!!"

He's probably only 1.5" long and still has his juvenile markings. He's hiding now but when he comes out, i'll try and get a pic of him.

Grins · 07/28/2007, 08:00 PM

Congrats on finding a new one. It was meant to be huh?

Aqua Keepers · 07/28/2007, 09:35 PM

I hope you did'nt give the new one the same name as the old one, or am I the only one who names fish? I love the looks of the engineer goby I kinda want one when I get the new tank set up, but I'm going BB and I don't know if they NEED sand to servive. Anyone know?

reefing102 · 07/28/2007, 09:41 PM

that sucks for the old one but congrats on finding a new one

uscharalph · 07/28/2007, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sufunk
Well, FINALLY got my replacement today! I didn't want to order one and none of my lfs had gotten any engineer's in forever.

Today, i walk in one of my lfs and the chalkboard says "SALE- Engineer gobies $8"

My daughter was so happy when she came home and saw him acclimating. She ran to my wife and started screaming "MOMMY, MOMMY, an Engineer, an Engineer!!!"

He's probably only 1.5" long and still has his juvenile markings. He's hiding now but when he comes out, i'll try and get a pic of him.

They grow so quickly.

MaxSmart · 01/31/2018, 09:26 AM

I have one who's been trying to jump for over 2 months, on and off. I moved, and got a new tank, which has finer sand and much less live rock. The guys who put it together didn't listen when I told them there was an engineer so they should put liverocks on the bottom, not on top of the sand, so he's been tunneling and repeatedly having cave-ins. I think he's stressed when that happens and goes on a 2-3 day spree of repeated jump attempts (I have eggcrate).

Here's my solution-in-process: I've built a grid of 1" PVC pipes - 4 squares using slip-fit unions with extra openings. Not only will this support the live rocks above the bottom, but once he tunnels into one of the openings, he'll have a complex tunnel system to navigate!

I'm hoping he likes it, just a few more pieces of PVC to cut/sand/clean and I'll try installing it, which will be a project since there's like 4" of sand in there that has to come out, all with an engineer who will have to be bucketed to prevent jumping.

05/06/2007, 07:37 PM	#1
sufunk Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Davie, Florida Posts: 2,004	1st ever jumper, Engineer goby!!!! I can't believe it! I feed my 36g tank a little while ago and dont see my engineer goby. Not unusual as he often doesnt come out for meals but this is his favorite pellets and he always comes out for these. I thought it odd and went to look for him under his normal rock but when i went to the side of the tank to look, there he was, dried out on the floor!!! Ive had this guy for just over 2 years and LOVED him(even though he would attack me when spot feeding my sun coral). He was an awesome fish, lots of personality. This is the 1st fish ive lost in almost 2 years and 1st to ever jump. Its so weird, he NEVER, never even goes remotely close to the top of the tank???? I dont think ive ever seen him within 6 inches of the top even during feedings. Never in my wildest dreams would i have thought he could jump out. He was always at the bottom of the tank under the rocks in one of his many burrows. I'm so bummed, i cant believe it. Can't figure out what would make him jump after 2+ years And on my Birthday no less, although from the look it was probably yesterday or last night at the latest. So weird. Last edited by sufunk; 05/06/2007 at 07:44 PM.

05/06/2007, 08:10 PM	#2
specialkb Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North Fort Myers, Florida Posts: 340	that sucks man. im wanting an engineer goby soo bad, how big was he? __________________ Kyle Current Tank Info: 90G Reef, setting up 230G Reef

05/06/2007, 08:20 PM	#3
Socotroco Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 243	sometimes, fishes jump when other fish is agressive and attacking fishes. Or maybe when the tank change like water currents, light time, and others. __________________ Luis Taveira Current Tank Info: 29.gal tank

05/07/2007, 07:22 AM	#6
alan214 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Colony, TX Posts: 1,258	That's too bad, Sufunk. Try to get some eggcrate or other cover on your tank so you don't lose more fish down the road. __________________ I live really close to the airport. The other day I was walking across the living room and the stewardess told me to take my seat. Current Tank Info: 73G FOWLR

07/28/2007, 08:00 PM	#13
Grins Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 735	Congrats on finding a new one. It was meant to be huh? __________________ R.A.S.O.C. : Reef Aquarium Society of Charlotte Current Tank Info: 55g mixed reef

05/06/2007, 08:23 PM	#4
frederickk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,712	truly sucks

05/06/2007, 09:03 PM	#5
sufunk Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Davie, Florida Posts: 2,004	He was about 7-8 inches. Long but not real wide yet. He was probably my favorite fish Nothing in the tank changed as far as parameters, lighting , current, etc... I did add a small rock with some orange carnations on it a few days ago but cant imagine that had something to do with it. The other fish in the tank are a false perc, a midas blenny and a hippo tang. These four have been together in the tank for over 2 years with no problem. Its weird because even if another fish decided to attack him out of the blue, i would have assumed he would go under the rocks and hide not jump out He had a burrow under every support rock at the bottom of the tank to hide in(at least 5-6) and like i said, seriously in 2 years i dont think i ever saw him within 6-8 inches of the top of the tank even during feedings. He was always at the very bottom of the tank or hiding under the rocks. Its so weird, i'm so bummed and my 5 year old daughter will be VERY upset tomorrow! Its really gonna suck telling her.

05/07/2007, 08:56 AM	#7
sufunk Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Davie, Florida Posts: 2,004	I'm considering eggcrate but REALLY hate the way it looks. I went open top about 18 months ago to help with someph and temp issues and was very worried at the time. I have an awesome Midas blenny as well and everyone say he was a major jumping risk. I took the chance because i figured the midas was the only jumper and the tank is kind of covered. Between the coralife light fixture, skimmer, filter and powerheads near the top, there is VERY little room to jump out. It was actually a pretty impressive jump to make it out the little opening he did. The light fixture covers about 75% of the top and i always figured odds were in my favor that they would bounce back in if they ever tried jumping. Unfortunately that chance cost me my little buddy so i guess eggcrate it is. Never even imagined that the Engineer would jump being a complete bottom dweller. Anyone else ever heard of a engineer goby jumping???

05/07/2007, 10:54 AM	#8
travdixon Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Beach CA Posts: 156	If my engineer goby ever jumped, that would definitely be a sight to see....he is easily 10 inches long. Never heard of one jumping. Mine is rarely completely out of the rocks, even when feeding.

05/07/2007, 11:08 AM	#9
sufunk Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Davie, Florida Posts: 2,004	Same here travdixon. In 2 years i dont think my wife has ever seen the entire engineer. I look at the tank ALL the time and only see his entire body about every 2-3 months. How long have you had yours? I cant get over how weird it is that he jumped. People with engineers can probably relate, it just seems so unlikely given his behavior and patterns for the last 2 years. Cant figure what made him do this My only guess is maybe a pellet was floating over there at the surface and he made a dash for the pellet but vastly overestimated his speed. Ive never seen him do anything like that for ANY type of food but cant think of anything else???? p.s.-daughter cried semihysterically for about 20 minutes when she found out he was gone. She wants me to take her to get another today after school but i already know that none of my lfs have any. I hit them all this weekend trying to find b-day pesents for myself.

05/07/2007, 03:34 PM	#10
johnike Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bureau County Illinois Posts: 5,406	Post on the CMAS Chicago forum.Thers a guy that makes jumper guards.Looks awesome!John

05/08/2007, 10:08 PM	#11
travdixon Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Beach CA Posts: 156	I've had mine for over 5 years. I swear sometimes I think he's blind cuz he won't venture out for anything but food, and even then just eats what floats by his gulping distance! You do know they look very different when young, right? I'm waiting for mine to stick his head out and just open and close his mouth all day, because he is almost identical to an eel.

07/28/2007, 07:55 PM	#12
sufunk Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Davie, Florida Posts: 2,004	Well, FINALLY got my replacement today! I didn't want to order one and none of my lfs had gotten any engineer's in forever. Today, i walk in one of my lfs and the chalkboard says "SALE- Engineer gobies $8" My daughter was so happy when she came home and saw him acclimating. She ran to my wife and started screaming "MOMMY, MOMMY, an Engineer, an Engineer!!!" He's probably only 1.5" long and still has his juvenile markings. He's hiding now but when he comes out, i'll try and get a pic of him.

07/28/2007, 09:35 PM	#14
Aqua Keepers Moved On Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Clearwater,Fl Posts: 2,915	I hope you did'nt give the new one the same name as the old one, or am I the only one who names fish? I love the looks of the engineer goby I kinda want one when I get the new tank set up, but I'm going BB and I don't know if they NEED sand to servive. Anyone know?

07/28/2007, 09:41 PM	#15
reefing102 Who Am I Here? Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 1,155	that sucks for the old one but congrats on finding a new one __________________ Shane Life's a climb... but the view is great. ______________________________ Current Tank Info: 2.5 Gallon Nano

01/31/2018, 09:26 AM	#17
MaxSmart Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3	I have one who's been trying to jump for over 2 months, on and off. I moved, and got a new tank, which has finer sand and much less live rock. The guys who put it together didn't listen when I told them there was an engineer so they should put liverocks on the bottom, not on top of the sand, so he's been tunneling and repeatedly having cave-ins. I think he's stressed when that happens and goes on a 2-3 day spree of repeated jump attempts (I have eggcrate). Here's my solution-in-process: I've built a grid of 1" PVC pipes - 4 squares using slip-fit unions with extra openings. Not only will this support the live rocks above the bottom, but once he tunnels into one of the openings, he'll have a complex tunnel system to navigate! I'm hoping he likes it, just a few more pieces of PVC to cut/sand/clean and I'll try installing it, which will be a project since there's like 4" of sand in there that has to come out, all with an engineer who will have to be bucketed to prevent jumping.