2 Neon gobies in 55

[jus10kase]

Probably should`ve known better, but LFS guy said they would be fine, as he usually gets a whole group in. But the larger one continually harasses the smaller one.
Do they change sex?
They are 1st fish in setup, will their behavoir possibly change when more fish are added?
Should I try and catch one and take back?

 

[EvilMel]

Some people say that having 2 neons in one tank will absolutely cause one to go kill the other. I have not had this particular experience, in that I have had ones cohabitated peacefully, but it's been years since I have kept a neon (love them though). My question is: if one is getting harassed like crazy, why keep two? If it were me, I'd get rid of the one doing the harassing.

You'll likely have a bit of difficulty getting either one out of there though.

 

[rambone]

55g is pretty big in comparison to the size of the fish, the problem could be that they dont have enough visual barriers in the tank (ie caves/rock piles)

 

[jus10kase]

Plenty of rock in tank.
Went back to LFS, guy says"That`s something they do playing or maybe courtship. I think they do good in schools. I`m getting about 20 or so in tomorrow if you want to add some."
I don`t think he knows what he`s talking about!

 

[snorvich]

Pardon, the expression, but he is full of sxxt Multiple Neon gobies do not do well unless you happen to get a mated pair which is unlikely. If your LFS guy says they will school you need to change advisors. They don't even swim around, how can they school (shoal is actually the right term)? They are excellent cleaners, however, and I do recomend having one but only one. I love this fish!!

 

[Serioussnaps]

They dont shoal or school...they are just pairs...the best thing to do as I am considering some sort of pairs in my tank(in the gobie family) would be to shop around for bonafide pairs that are already paired or taken out of the wild as a pair...this is your best bet...I wouldnt add more as this will just stir it up even more. I am not an expert but can forsee that as it is. Let them be and hopefully and quite possibly they will get along if not pair.. the pair is doubtful but getting along is possible..

i am about to be in the same boat as my CBB died and need replacements but going smaller as i need nutrient deficient tank...i also have a 55g soon to be slap *** packed with ACROS!!!

i guess if you want them out the sure fire way would be to get an eel!!!!just kidding

 

[Serioussnaps]

aggregations would be the best term i dont think one could even consider them a harem...

try the fish breeding forumn

 

[SuperNerd]

I've kept two in a 71 gallon and the larger did chase the smaller. They also went through periods where they would stay close together.Eventually both got fat and I guess the more dominant one chased the less dominant one. They didn't kill each other but it will be the last time I put a non mated pair in that small of a tank.

If you want a little harem or small fish that can be kept in groups...try green banded gobies. They will court and lay little eggs. http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1144

 

[jus10kase]

I don`t want a school of em, just quoting what the LFS guy said. A school would be nice if they did that, but I realize otherwise. I actually am gonna get 3 or 4 of the Green barred dartfish.

Fish wish list;

Pair HiFin Shrimp Gobies w/ shrimp
3-4 Barred Dartfish
Rainford Goby
Longfin Fairy Wrasse
Psych Mandarin
Coral Beauty(maybe Rusty Angel instead)
Copperband(maybe couple female Fairy Wrasse instead)

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[SuperNerd]

Green barred dartfish? Never heard of that one.

Rainfordi Goby is hard to keep alive longterm unless you either have a continuous supply of feathery algae for it to feed on or are able to supply it with live (enriched) brine shrimp. Many slowly starve to death in the aquarium because of a lack of sufficient food.

Shrimp goby shrimp- make sure to get the pacific, blind shrimp and not the atlantic one. The latter does not form relationships with shrimpo gobies in the wild and will most likely beat the begeezus out of a shrimp goby in the aquarium...and eat things you would prefer it not to eat in your tank.

Copperband- Most don't acclimate well to aquarium life. Be prepared to feed it more than once a day with live worms, live enriched brine shrimp, and fresh clams/scallops from the grocery store. May eat aiptasia but will also eat many types of worms growing on your LR that "make it look pretty."

Psych mandarin- needs to be fed worm foods similar to the copperband. In wild feeds off large amounts of copepods. They're not the fastest of feeders and will not be able to chase down food as well as the other fish you're thinking of putting in the tank. Better left to a large tank with a large amount of LR to hunt copepods.

 

[jus10kase]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8039941#post8039941 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SuperNerd
Green barred dartfish? Never heard of that one.

Ptereleotris zebra-(Zebra Dart Goby, Zebra Dartfish, Barred Dartfish, Bar Goby )