Blue Gudgeon Dartfish what to expect.

[A sea K]

Had to cross off the Blue Reef Chromis as it may be too aggressive for the other tankmates so I'm considering this as an alternative.
Tank is 30 gal with planned passive fish only. My primary concerns are, just how blue are these guys? As a bottom dweller will it bother my small shrimp gobies? Will it bother with any other dartfish, firefish variety? Will it be OK as a single or do they really need to be in pairs to do well? Lastly, by the discriptions I have found they like to be out in the open during day hours. Is this mostly true or will they hovering and hiding in the rocks most of the time?

Thanks all,
Chris

 

[eatbreakfast]

They are quite blue and very peaceful. They will not bother watchman gobies, but may us their burrow as a "bolt hole". They will not bother other dartfish and will often hang out with other species. They do best in groups and will be out in the open if they dont feel threatened, but will definitely hide alot if they do.

 

[A sea K]

Thanks for the info!
Sounds at this point like a very good choice for my system.

 

[SoloChromis]

Very blue, but also painfully shy. IME their behavior is a lot different than the other darts, and are far more timid. Zebras, scissortails and firefish will usually inhabit the middle and top area of the tank, and although peaceful and also fairly timid, they will usually thrive in the average community tank. I have kept several personally, and cared for one in the display tank at the LFS where I used to work and every single one would wedge themselves under a rock and very rarely ever come out, especially if their are active, aggressive fish in the tank. I would say the ideal tank for these guys would be a smaller, peaceful set up where they won't completely vanish. Good luck!

 

[38bill]

Almost never saw my pair except for an occasional glimpse of their head while they ate. Very shy and they never came out of the rocks. Too bad as they were a very bright electric blue.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I find that other dartfish keep blue gudgeons out in the open. The pr I currently have are out with a pr of P. monoptera and a P. hannae. Also, when kept as the only dartfish species, if kept in significant numbers, 6+, will stay out. But if there arent enough or the tankmates are too rowdy they will hide.

 

[A sea K]

The tank is a 24x24 30 gallon. The planned tankmates are Pygmy wrasse, Yasha and Hi-fin shrimp gobies, Tailspot blenny, Yellow assessor, and a single firefish.
Seems pretty peacefull to me and I would hope it would encourage the Gudgeon to stay out more

 

[eatbreakfast]

Thats a very peaceful group. I think it will be great for the gudgeon.

 

[A sea K]

Great information, I'm sold.
Thankyou everyone,
Chris

 

[las]

How are the gudgeons?