what do gobies eat?

[jmking33]

Ive got two of these little guys and I love them. But the past few weeks they seem to be getting skinny. Ive seen them eat flake food and copeopods. Am I missing something? Ive got a 40 cube with about 35 lbs of live rock. The only other fish they may challenge these guys for food is a six line. All other fish are fat and healthy(pair of clowns, 6 line and 3 tiny chromis). any suggestions? I dont wanna lose them.
thanks
Jason

[Pacific Reefs]

I fed my green clown goby Mysis.

[zoodood]

It is good to feed your fish an assortment of foods...try using frozen mysis...whenever i go to an LFS I get some brine shrimp but not as nutritious as mysis

[waterfaller1]

Originally Posted by jmking33

Ive got two of these little guys and I love them. But the past few weeks they seem to be getting skinny. Ive seen them eat flake food and copeopods. Am I missing something? Ive got a 40 cube with about 35 lbs of live rock. The only other fish they may challenge these guys for food is a six line. All other fish are fat and healthy(pair of clowns, 6 line and 3 tiny chromis). any suggestions? I dont wanna lose them.
thanks
Jason

What type of 'goby'? This makes a huge difference. They could actually be mandarins, sadly mislabeled as a 'goby'. They will sometimes starve without a mature tank, refugium attached, and plenty of live copepods.
If a goby such as a Rainsford or Hector's, again, these will often starve, as they need a large mature sandbed in which to get micro-fauna and some hair algae as well. If they are twospot gobies, they will just starve no matter what you do. So as you see, what type of goby makes a big difference. It also makes a difference if they feel threatened or bullied by your other fish. Sometimes turning off the pump so food settles to the bottom instead of being whisked away by flow will be needed. Most will accept prepared foods such as frozen Piscine brand mysis shrimp & Rod's food. Other good foods are frozen Cyclop-eeze, Ocean Nutrition Formula one, and Prime Reef. Some will even accept some algae sheets and ON Formula two. I like the purple algae sheets by Two little fishes{Julian Sprung's}. Other good foods to try are dry preparations such as small pellets by New Life Spectrum, such as their Thera-A. I add Kent marine Zoe, and Brightwell Aquatics AminOmega {HUFAS} on a rotating basis. I keep fresh foods from my grocer such as live clams on occasion, and frozen squid and scallop which I chop up. Variety is key to healthy fish who are bright, active, and live a long life. I have had my pair of Oscellaris clownfish since beginning this hobby in 03'.

[Nerd1717]

Originally Posted by waterfaller1

what type of 'goby'? This makes a huge difference. They could actually be mandarins, sadly mislabeled as a 'goby'. They will sometimes starve without a mature tank, refugium attached, and plenty of live copepods.
If a goby such as a rainsford or hector's, again, these will often starve, as they need a large mature sandbed in which to get micro-fauna and some hair algae as well. If they are twospot gobies, they will just starve no matter what you do. So as you see, what type of goby makes a big difference. It also makes a difference if they feel threatened or bullied by your other fish. Sometimes turning off the pump so food settles to the bottom instead of being whisked away by flow will be needed. Most will accept prepared foods such as frozen piscine brand mysis shrimp & rod's food. Other good foods are frozen cyclop-eeze, ocean nutrition formula one, and prime reef. Some will even accept some algae sheets and on formula two. I like the purple algae sheets by two little fishes{julian sprung's}. Other good foods to try are dry preparations such as small pellets by new life spectrum, such as their thera-a.

+1

[waterfaller1]

dblepost

[waterfaller1]

Another thought~ In a 40 gallon tank, it is possible that a sixline could outcompete a goby for live food available, unless perhaps a refugium is attached. Gobies are generally slow and methodical, sixlines swim pretty fast, constantly scanning for anything that moves.

[jmking33]

thats what I was thinking waterfaller...the six line being more active is out eating the gobies. gonna have to supplement feedings I think.

[iamwrasseman]

there are many different typs of them , what kind ?