goby question

[Jason87]

So i wanted to get a goby but wanted to know what requirements I need to support him and have a great life in my tank so any advise you might feel might help me will be appreciated and grateful some of my concerns are what do they eat what environment do they like are they safe with coral and anemones and the type of goby I'm looking forward to get is a mandarin goby

 

[OTOWN78]

They are picky eaters, They thrive on copepods. Overall they will need a little more attention than your average fish.

 

[Jason87]

How do you know when you have enough pods in your tank

 

[OTOWN78]

You would almost have to put the copepods in a refugium, if you put them in a display tank they will be eaten before they have a chance to reproduce. I would say in about 30 days or so youll be well on your way with copepods.

 

[OTOWN78]

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1635+551&pcatid=551

Hope this helps you. Each fish is different, you may get lucky and not need the copepods however, you want to be responsible when you purchase the fish.

 

[Jason87]

The reason me asking I see pods in my tank and there every where on my glass like hundreds on my sand looks like thousands and some on rocks could this be enough food for him and how ling

 

[OTOWN78]

If you have that many pods in your tank you should be good as the Goby may tend to sample the other food as well.

 

[Jason87]

That's good but also my tank is farely new like three months is that a big factor

 

[OTOWN78]

Exactly what is in the tank now, and out of curiosity did you put the pods in the tank?

 

[Jason87]

A gbta 4 turbo snails 2 cerith snails 3 blue legged hermit crabs 1 emerald crab 1 candy cane coral

No the pods showed up out if no where

 

[OTOWN78]

I personally would let the tank get established a little more. Like the article I sent you they are not your average fish and need an established tank.

"It should be kept in a well-established 30 gallon or larger aquarium with live rock, live sand, and plenty of hiding places. It is moderately hardy in reef aquariums if given special care. It is not overly aggressive towards other fish, except for conspecifics. "

 

[Jason87]

Very informative article thanks

 

[OTOWN78]

An active thread right now
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2154124

 

[Jason87]

Thanks for the thread it answers most of the questions I had

 

[SushiGirl]

They eat hundreds of pods a day, all day, every day. Even if they're eating other foods.

Just ran across that linked thread. Sk8r's post was great.

 

[Jason87]

What about blennies same thing or drifrent feeding

 

[AndroidReef]

Everyone is gonna tell u is not recommended as first fish, mandarin in small tanks should be left only to really experienced people with tons of time to take care of him, you can get different gobies they are amazing and way easier to take care of, Hope u can read what people says about them is 100% that over 90% of them will starve to death

 

[OTOWN78]

I have a watchman goby paired with a pistol shrimp and he has been great. You can also look into the blenny's. They have a lot of personality.

 

[Jason87]

What blenny should do good in my tank

 

[OTOWN78]

I have 3 blennys and I like them all..lol I know that helps you alot.
I have a Bi Color Blenny. Hes small and very active and eats most frozen foods.
I have a Orange Spotted Blenny, He eats the frozen Mysis.
An the new addition, Starry Blenny. Hes unique looking, Sits upright, and is very active in the tank. Best of all he eat most of my the frozen food but Loves the NORI.