I bought a Diamond Watchman Goby about a week ago. In that week, it came out of the cave once and maybe popped its head out once or twice. It is very shy. To help him out, I bought a Tiger Pistol shrimp couple days ago and I dont know of they found each other yet, but I cant see either of them...I spent 40 for goby and 40 for pistol, and I cant even enjoy them. Do I have any option on getting them out and about?
Diamond Goby being shy
- Thread starter bshevchuk
- Start date
Irishdolphin
New member
Have you seen the DW goby in past few days? I have one and he didn't take more than a few hours to settle it and start exploring but fish taking a few days to settle is not unusual.
CedzAquAddictio
New member
If this is the sand-sifter type of goby, I don't believe they will pair up with the shrimp. The gobies (ex: yellow watchman goby) pair up with shrimp because they can't burrow, but like to live in burrows, and shrimp are next to blind, so they rely on the watchman goby to let them know when trouble is around (among other reasons)...
The sand-sifter type can and will burrow, so won't need the shrimp for it's burrowing ability. Also: sand sifters are known to dart in their burrows at the first sign of trouble. I have one that is used to me, but still darts into his burrow when I walk by too fast...
Is your fish one of these? If so, which one?
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1926+221&pcatid=221
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+31+220&pcatid=220
The latter is not likely to pair up with a shrimp...
The sand-sifter type can and will burrow, so won't need the shrimp for it's burrowing ability. Also: sand sifters are known to dart in their burrows at the first sign of trouble. I have one that is used to me, but still darts into his burrow when I walk by too fast...
Is your fish one of these? If so, which one?
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1926+221&pcatid=221
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+31+220&pcatid=220
The latter is not likely to pair up with a shrimp...
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I have the later, the diamond watchman. He already has paired with the shrimp and the both live in the burrow that the shrimp has dug under a rock. Yesterday, the goby was sitting at entrance of hole and I slowly walked up and he darted into the hole again. Im happy that they paired, but Im still at my original dilemma of the goby hiding. Instead of one hiding now, they are both hiding. My sand is pretty clean, so I suspect the goby is cleaning...im gonna have to stake out one night and see what goes on after hours...
Its been 2 weeks, have only seen him 3x since then :hmm4:
Irishdolphin
New member
I think all you can do is give him time. Hopefully as he settles more and more he will start to explore. You could try feeding him with a pipette and once he associates pipette with food you can use it to lure him further out
Irishdolphin
New member
Feeding by syringe will also help prevent it from starving which is a risk for these sand sifting gobies
