Anybody Know This Fish?

[fmsvandal]

My brother just came back from the keys and brought this fish back with him but we're unsure of what type it is........also curious if it's reef tank friendly.

 

[SoloChromis]

Almost looked like a clingfish at first (which would be reef safe), but I'm not sure. Can you send a pic from a different angle?

 

[fmsvandal]

Almost looked like a clingfish at first (which would be reef safe), but I'm not sure. Can you send a pic from a different angle?

 

[SoloChromis]

Looks to be some kind of goby, interesting :fish1: Check out his mouth, if he looks like he could easily swallow something in your tank, odds are he would. But hey, he looks pretty cool :fun2:

 

[SoloChromis]

Ignore the gun fire, clicked the wrong smiley :lolspin:

 

[eatbreakfast]

Without seeing his dorsal fins and "settled down" pattern, a definitive ID, will be pretty difficult, but based on what I can see is it looks like some kind of sand dwelling goby, and most of the sand dwelling gobies in the keys only reach around 3-4in max, and would be reefsafe. The large mouth would be more for excavating sand than consuming moderately sized fish.

 

[Betta132]

It's a goby of some kind, definitely. Put him in a QT tank and give him some time to let him settle down if you need a more specific ID. However, if you don't think he can eat anything in your tank, I'd suggest putting him into your display unless he'll eat frozen foods. Most sifter gobies need old, dirty sand to stay healthy, and he does look to have a sifter goby mouth.
With the possible exception of little shrimp, yes, gobies are reef safe. In fact, sometimes a reef isn't goby safe; don't put anything with a strong sting down near the bottom, as he might be stung.

 

[Lauracooks]

Sand sifters are very entertaining and turn your sand well