Catalina Goby, Lythrypnus dalli: Pro v. Con?

[Mako Shark II]

Okay Folks, let’s have it:

Why DO I or why DON’T I want a Catalina Goby, Lythrypnus dalli?? (I'm currently Holding one at the LFS, but will I regret it running at 78 degrees under 2each 250W 20,000k MH's?) :hmm2:

My Current Tank:
120 reef
225 pounds encrusted live rock
Gen X PCX30 Main pump (950 GPH)
Closed Loop 1080 GPH
Etc.
Etc.
(Perhaps the most important component: 1/3 HP Chiller)

Tank Compliment:
4” Blue Regal (Hippo) Tang
2 Lyretail Anthias
2 Yellow fin Blue Damsels
4 Blue Green Chromis
2 False Percula
Sally Lightfoot
Blue Knuckle Hermit
Red Leg Hermit
Halloween Hermit
1 Black Damsel’

Params:
1.024 SG
78 (too warm?!) Temp, dips to 76 mid AM after teh MH's are off
450 Calc.

Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[philter4]

The main reason is the temp, they don't do well at tropical temps for long periods.

 

[nikon187]

a friend of mine keeps his at 67 for 5 mths now. I haven't seen one live more than a couple months at normal reef temps

 

[MattL]

I say leave it at the LFS. Don't perpetuate the cycle of collecting these fish. It sounds like you have a very good tank with some very good fish. I don't know how the damsels will react to gobies (I've never kept damsels), but, there are so many wonderful gobies to chose from with awesome behaviors.

Unless Catalina gobies have changed recently, they just don't do well in tropical temperatures. They come from ~60F water and simply don't thrive long term in tropical reefs according to Bob Fenner. From Bob Fenner:

Lythrypnus dalli (Gilbert 1860), The Blue-Banded or Catalina Goby: This brilliant red and blue beauty is from off the two California's Pacific coasts. It is not tropical, and will only live a short while in water in the upper seventies, eighties. It should not be sold as a warm-water organism. Why do I, should I mention this? It is an embarrassing sham in the trade, and a waste of resources. This one at a L.A. wholesaler's.

Matt

 

[Mako Shark II]

I knew I trusted that little voice in the back corner of my brain, NOT to bag him, but rather to put me name on him.

Thanks y'all. You confirmed what I presumed.