Engineer Goby digging up tank...any suggestions?

[FeTTo]

I purchased an engineer goby under the name of a Neon Eel Goby from my LFS. The guy told me he was a peaceful fish, that would maybe dig some tunnels in my tank, and carried many characteristics of a goby. I have a 20 gal high tank. After getting it home without finding research on my phone at the LFS, some more digging around I discovered its an Egineer goby. This guy has dug out the entire corner of my tank down to the glass, covering pulsing xenias, shrooms and zoas on me constantly.

Does anyone else have one of these guys? What do you do? I also read they may eat ornamental shrimp and I have 2 large blood shrimp and 1 medium size banded coral shrimp.

Is this a fish that I should be giving a try with, or should i return him? hes about 4 inches long and looks cool with a personality, but I see he can get up to a foot long and I hope he doesnt destroy the entire tank. I only paid $15 for him, so if I have to bring him somewhere for a donation, i have no problem.

 

[keithhays]

I think that he is doing what these guys normally do. They are not called an engineer goby for nothing.

 

[RyanSweatt2004]

I keep my rocks stacked on cpvc tube bases so my engineer goby can dig all he wants without collapsing my entire reef. I keep mine with 2 blood red cleaner shrimp, and 2 skunk cleaner shrimp. I've never had issues in the past with them eating anything other than prepared food.

 

[FeTTo]

I mean they are fine though? I shouldnt be worried about him wrecking my tank? I know they dig.

 

[DustyReefer]

IME they'll just make one their one home tunnel essentially and they wont really dig as much after that. They can be a bit aggressive though especially in a smaller tank, so look out for that as they get quite big and may eat smaller fish. Just try and keep coral away from the tunnel entrances, and hope he doesnt collapse any rock stack haha.

 

[evolved]

Considering the size they reach (a 20g will not be large enough) and how this behavior isn't likely to stop or change, I'd rehome the fish ASAP.

 

[FeTTo]

Considering the size they reach (a 20g will not be large enough) and how this behavior isn't likely to stop or change, I'd rehome the fish ASAP.

Thanks

this is the idea i am going with. A mistake made and learned. I wont have time until wednesday to try to get him out of there and return him though. HopefullY i can find a goby of sorts there and take care of everything in 1 stop.

 

[G4546]

Always do your research prior! Engineer gobies are amazing little creatures and it sounds like you're seeing him in action, building his masterpieces Hopefully you find him a good home. Goodluck and don't forget to RESEARCH!

 

[HV1990]

I have two in my 120 and I think that all my sand is being moved all over the place. They do get rather large but they are a fun to watch. They remind me of a landscaping crew. Making big piles into little piles back into big piles.

 

[inigomontoya]

I have three in my 260 along with a pistol/ywg and two tiger tail cucumbers so you can guess my sand is never sitting very still. I prepped my tank for the pistol from the beginning with the rock directly on eggcrate so no rockslides can occur.
One of my engineers is probably over a foot (have seen that much come out of a cave to snag food) but still remains shy and gets chased back in by my ocellaris. Never had any issues with cleaners or fire shrimp. All that said, in a 20g he will be real cramped and if your rock isn't secure...