Anyone have experience with Lythrypnus zebra

[el aguila]

I keep my reef 77 degrees, and have always loved Catalina Gobies, but shyed away from them because of temp.

Does anyone have experience with Zebra Catalina Goby (Lythrypnus zebra)? Supposedly they will handle 75 degree water, just wondering if anyone has kept them and for how long?

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+31+1132&pcatid=1132

 

[philter4]

I have collected and kept them back in the late 80's, they seem to do fine in a peaceful tank and care is easy. I have never collected them North of San Diego, most of the ones I have seen and collected were in Mexican waters and the further south we went the more common they seemed to be, I have even collected some in tide pools. Like the Catalina goby they only have about an 18 month life cycle so even if you keep it correctly they are not long lived. I had a pair lay eggs in the tank once, but none survived past hatching (I think they hatched, one morning they were just gone) but otherwise they were much like other gobies and didn't move around much.

Mine were kept in an unheated tank, summer temps put the water in the upper 70's low 80's and I saw no real difference in activity but it was a long time ago and I don't really have a clear memory of them other then when they laid their eggs and some of the times collecting them. I can't say I would recommend them but they are much better candidate then Catalina gobies as far as most of the fish tanks that are being kept.

 

[el aguila]

Philter4, thanks for the info. If I bought them, I would want a small group (4-6) in my 190. Not sure that I want to spend money on something that is going to be short lived. Might try them some day in the future though.