Diamond Watchman Goby won't come out rock

[Raquiros]

Greetings everyone,

I purchased a Diamond Watchman Goby which was very active for the first three weeks, however suddenly he decided not to come out his cave anymore, it´s been like 3 weeks and nothing... not sure if this is related to a new BTA anemone I added to the tank which decided to share his spot (which is also the home of a fire shrimp)

Anyways, so I use my flashlight and he sees alive and scared under his rock and nothing I do will make him go out, I´m afraid he will starve to death.

Any opinions?

 

[Stevenliu9]

Shrimp gobies like to hide. And also each one's personality can be different. My last yellow watchman was out all the time begging for food. The current one I have had been in my tank for almost two years and I swear I have seen him no more than a dozen times. I know he's alive! but the elusive thing only comes out to snatch food then darts back into its cave. Other than that, a perfectly healthy fat fish when I do see him.

 

[Irishdolphin]

A diamond watchman goby is not a shrimp goby. It should be out and about sifting sand so I would be concerned if he is hiding for that long. Are you sure he is actually still alive?

 

[Raquiros]

A diamond watchman goby is not a shrimp goby. It should be out and about sifting sand so I would be concerned if he is hiding for that long. Are you sure he is actually still alive?

Totally sure, he even moves or turns inside the rock when using the flashlight.. Not sure why he´s afraid and won´t come out...

 

[Irishdolphin]

Any potentially aggressive tank mates? Would you be able to use a pipette to squirt some food into him?

 

[Raquiros]

Any potentially aggressive tank mates? Would you be able to use a pipette to squirt some food into him?

I have a yellow wrassle, two clownfish. one yellowtail blue damsel, one sea star, one bubble tip anemone, one fire shrimp and that´s it...

Yes I can squirt food into him, what do you suggest? Shrimp?

 

[Irishdolphin]

Is the nem hosting the clowns? Wondering if they've started to get possessive about the nem and are bullying the DW. Otherwise the tank mates seem fine. I have a DW in with pair of clowns, 3 BTAs, azure damsel, 2 fire shrimp + others so a lot of similarities in our stocking list.

Yep, would definitely try frozen shrimp (brine or mysis) if you have it and see how he reacts to it

 

[Raquiros]

Is the nem hosting the clowns? Wondering if they've started to get possessive about the nem and are bullying the DW. Otherwise the tank mates seem fine. I have a DW in with pair of clowns, 3 BTAs, azure damsel, 2 fire shrimp + others so a lot of similarities in our stocking list.

Yep, would definitely try frozen shrimp (brine or mysis) if you have it and see how he reacts to it

They haven't hosted the nem yet unfortunately.

In my aquarium there is only one "preferred cave", which seems to be the only one everyone likes as no other caves are in use, this luxury cave is being shared by the nem, the fire shrimp and the diamond goby... not sure if this has anything to do with this issue..

 

[Irishdolphin]

Prime real estate so! I'm only guessing but maybe the DW is trying to reinforce his claim on the cave by not leaving it until he is sure that it is his and his alone. At some stage one / some of the inhabitants will presumably have to decide to slum it in a less desirable part of the tank. It is hopefully just a temporary location for the nem while it acclimates but even so, it could take a few weeks before it decides to move on, if it does.

If he takes the squirted food that would be a big positive

 

[Roccus]

it could be the yellow tail.. they can be belligerent little boogers...I have one that gets a little "bossy" at times and will chase the Diamond spot gobie ( and any one else except my mandarin that pecked it on the nose).. but mine sifts sand from the moment he comes out of his cave until the night light comes on...

I agree with the others... I'd try spot feeding it lest I fear it will die..mine goes nuts for small pieces of table shrimp..Mysis shrimp or even frozen( thawed) brine shrimp...you could also try hatching some brine shrimp... enriched newly hatched brine shrimp are very nutritional and some times can persuade finicky or shy eaters to take a meal..

 

[Triggerfish]

A diamond watchman goby is not a shrimp goby. It should be out and about sifting sand so I would be concerned if he is hiding for that long. Are you sure he is actually still alive?

+1.. something isn't right.. mine is out all day with 19 other fish. nothing bothers it.

 

[Irishdolphin]

any luck with the target feeding?