Feeding small gobies

Toledofishguy · 01/28/2008, 09:10 AM

Admittedly, I bought a twin spot goby this weekend. When I got home I found this goby is hard to care for. I know, research first. Its small, less than one inch, active, sifting thru the sand. It will be a challenge for this fish to catch food when feeding. On a good note, he has not sand dwelling competition.

Anyways, has anyone ever made a device in order to feed less aggressive or bottum feeding fish. You know, a glass or plastic jar where only the goby crawl in and my tangs cant.

Toledofishguy · 01/28/2008, 09:11 AM

I am embarrassed by my poor grammer in the post above.

iwishtofish · 01/28/2008, 09:32 AM

I wouldn't worry about your grammar, Mike. It's not that bad, and I didn't really notice it until your second post brought it to my attention!

What are you experiences so far with your new goby when you add food to the tank? What are you feeding?

Toledofishguy · 01/28/2008, 09:36 AM

I feed mysis shrimp, cyclopeeze, emerald entree, pellet, etc. You know, typical variety. I used a turkey baster to get food near the sand. It did not freak it out, but it didnt exactly tear after the food either. It more or less floated right by it.

It has only been in my tank for two days, but I am trying to be prepared.

Sk8r · 01/28/2008, 09:37 AM

some people have had success with a starving sandsifter by using an eyedropper to 'force' something like cyclopeeze into an undersand pocket where he can find it, ie, near his burrow. Eventually they learn the taste and get more forward about seeking it out.

iwishtofish · 01/28/2008, 09:52 AM

It took a few days for my sandsifter to grab a single bite of mysis out of the water, and then a few more days for it to take several bites. I think this was due to the fish still acclimating to the tank, and also being pretty wary of the more aggressive feeder - my flame angel.

Now, after having my goby for almost 2 weeks, it eats readily, although it seems to prefer to let the current bring the food to it. It only chases down nearby morsels.

01/28/2008, 09:10 AM	#1
Toledofishguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 884	Feeding small gobies Admittedly, I bought a twin spot goby this weekend. When I got home I found this goby is hard to care for. I know, research first. Its small, less than one inch, active, sifting thru the sand. It will be a challenge for this fish to catch food when feeding. On a good note, he has not sand dwelling competition. Anyways, has anyone ever made a device in order to feed less aggressive or bottum feeding fish. You know, a glass or plastic jar where only the goby crawl in and my tangs cant. __________________ Mike - Columbus Current Tank Info: 120 under t-5 lighting

01/28/2008, 09:11 AM	#2
Toledofishguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 884	I am embarrassed by my poor grammer in the post above. __________________ Mike - Columbus Current Tank Info: 120 under t-5 lighting

01/28/2008, 09:36 AM	#4
Toledofishguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 884	I feed mysis shrimp, cyclopeeze, emerald entree, pellet, etc. You know, typical variety. I used a turkey baster to get food near the sand. It did not freak it out, but it didnt exactly tear after the food either. It more or less floated right by it. It has only been in my tank for two days, but I am trying to be prepared. __________________ Mike - Columbus Current Tank Info: 120 under t-5 lighting

01/28/2008, 09:37 AM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	some people have had success with a starving sandsifter by using an eyedropper to 'force' something like cyclopeeze into an undersand pocket where he can find it, ie, near his burrow. Eventually they learn the taste and get more forward about seeking it out. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

01/28/2008, 09:32 AM	#3
iwishtofish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 4,949	I wouldn't worry about your grammar, Mike. It's not that bad, and I didn't really notice it until your second post brought it to my attention! What are you experiences so far with your new goby when you add food to the tank? What are you feeding?

01/28/2008, 09:52 AM	#6
iwishtofish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 4,949	It took a few days for my sandsifter to grab a single bite of mysis out of the water, and then a few more days for it to take several bites. I think this was due to the fish still acclimating to the tank, and also being pretty wary of the more aggressive feeder - my flame angel. Now, after having my goby for almost 2 weeks, it eats readily, although it seems to prefer to let the current bring the food to it. It only chases down nearby morsels.