Engineer Goby

[HidingReefer]

Hey guys,
I was wondering if I could get more info and personal experience info about the engineer goby. I never considered this fish until I saw it's adult form. So I think my 90 gallon is big enough, the only concern I have is with rocks. I heard this fish can move around rocks, my base rock structures are solid but the rocks above them are pretty loose, can this fish knock rocks down? If so is there anything I can do to secure my rocks without hurting my corals. Also I heard this fish disappears for a long time and then returns as an "eel". Thoughts?

Thanks

 

[Fredfish]

The issue with rocks is that they tunnel. If you have your rocks on the sand that might cause some problems.

I had one in a 65 gallon tank and I always thought it was a cool fish. It had tunnels going from one end of the tank to the other. I never knew where it would pop up.

Mine never swam up into the rock work.

 

[Bent]

Yep that's right.

They dig under the rocks and can hurt themselves by the rock sinking on top of them or destabilizing a pile enough that the whole thing topples over and busts the tank.

They are a great fish and full of personality, but they are pretty cryptic when the get older, acting quite a bit like an eel and sitting with its head out of its burrow.

They tend to do better in pairs and become less of an old cranky hermit. My single engineer is a grouch and does not like anyone near his burrow. He will attack anyone who comes near it. I wouldn't call him aggressive, but I would call him defensive and territorial. Again, supposedly keeping them in pairs tempers this behavior to an extent.

In order to keep a pair they must be together before the "change" occurs. After the shift from juvenile to adult occurs and an animal stakes out a territory they are intolerant of any other animal near them, including other engineers.



So, in my opinion, they are a great animal and really scratch that "eel" itch without the eel problems, but they must be planned for ahead of time. Rock work must be placed on the bottom of the tank, and smaller rocks secured with adhesive of some kind. Forming the structures with epoxy is the safest course of action for both you and the animal.
Individual specimens can become reclusive and severely territorial. Keeping a pair as mentioned seems to temper this behavior to an extent. Pairing must typically occur before sexual maturity (when full pattern change occurs) and a territory has been claimed or else intolerance of any other animal within that territory will not be tolerated. Engineer gobies have been known to spawn in captivity as far as I know.
Feeding wise, in my experience they are opportunistic omnivores and I have witnessed my engineer eat everything from seaweed sheets to frozen shrimp chunks to NLS pellets. In addition to the autofeeder which feeds NLS pellets 3x a day, I supplement mine much like an eel with blender mush or mysis from a turkey baster, to large chunks of frozen table shrimp depending on what I'm in the mood to see him eat. Extremely hungry specimens have been reported to go hunting for easy meals at night from ornamental shrimp to sleeping fish, but I have not personally experienced this. Mine is extremely fat and I rarely see him come out from under his rock.

HTH

 

[HidingReefer]

Alright well with that info I think I will pass on this one, I just can't risk my corals, rock work, and most importantly tank, Thanks for all the replies!

 

[Bent]

Alright well with that info I think I will pass on this one, I just can't risk my corals, rock work, and most importantly tank, Thanks for all the replies!

If the Rock is sitting on the sand bed I wouldn't do it.

 

[hotelbravo]

most people who plan on getting one of these will put egg crate down on the bottom of the tank. place the live rock on the egg crate and then put the sand in the tank. that way the rock fits into the holes like pegs and will be hard to topple over by digging under them or pushing them.

 

[HidingReefer]

I really like this fish, but I dont think I can disrupt my reef with the eggcrate, it seems a lot of work just for this one fish. Thanks for all the help guys

 

[Fredfish]

If you're rock work is not set up for possible tunneling fish, its a lot of effort.

When I set up my tank, I just happened to put support under my rock.

 

[scubadan206]

When they get big they can also eat other fish.
They are hardy though, Slief had one survive his tank being doused with bleach.:facepalm:

 

[Bent]

When they get big they can also eat other fish.
They are hardy though, Slief had one survive his tank being doused with bleach.:facepalm:

Ive never heard of one eating other fish. Mine is near 15" and hes never bothered anyone.

Edit:
not that Im doubting you, just saying ive never heard of such a thing.

 

[scubadan206]

A thread I read a while ago. Don't remember which one or by whom. Large fish ate a small fish. Not really a rare occurrence

 

[Bent]

A thread I read a while ago. Don't remember which one or by whom. Large fish ate a small fish. Not really a rare occurrence

That would have to be one tiny fish and one hungry engineer.

 

[CStrickland]

I'm having lots of fun with mine!
I bought two, and just recently lost one he had the biggest worm I've ever seen inside his stomach, so from now on I'm def quarantining everyone with metro-food, not just prazipro like I was. The dead one was always a little runty, his color was pale and he hid more and didn't grow like the other. The stronger on has finished her round of metro, took it like a champ, and seems happy enough by herself. Haven't decided whether to replace her partner but I think if I'm going to I ought to soon. She's easily grown 3 inches since I got her a couple months ago.

All my friends that visit love my "eel"! Her patterns are gorgeous and she has a great personality. By day she peeks out of her hole (I have some fish that are much bigger) and at night she owns the tank. As soon as the lights go out, my day crew retires and she goes swimming everywhere and inspecting things. It's really beautiful the way they move and can go backwards too.

Since I target feed coral at night I have been training her to eat from my hand. It's lots of fun! I shut off the pumps and she comes over, I hold a few pellets for her and she gently nibbles them out of my palm and sort of hangs out in my hand

I don't have eggcrate, just set my rocks on the floor like your supposed to anyway. I think if you couldn't shove it over by pushing gently with your hand, a goby isn't going to be able to topple your scape. And really, your rocks ought to be that sturdy anyway IMO. Another thing that is cool is I can look up from underneath in my sump and see her tunnels and watch her being incognito.