Greenbanded Goby (Tigrigobius Multifasciatum)

[intekhab]

Gobiosoma (Tigrigobius) multifasciatum, or the Greenbanded Goby, is another adorable "non-cleaner." In the wild, the Greenbanded Goby partakes in its own version of a symbiotic relationship, known as "Commensalism." The goby lives underneath black sea urchins just underneath the water surface where it receives protection from predators (DeLoach, 1999). In the home aquarium, without the presence of urchins, they will spend a majority of their time on the sandbed. The security of a small crevice is never far away.

(Top) A typical looking specimen, from the author's tank, of Gobiosoma (Tigrigobius) multifaciatum. (Bottom) The male multifactiatum displaying his mating ritual. Note the flared gills, deeper coloration on the opercle, and erected dorsal fin. This is always accompanied with his dance, which includes sets of short, erratic vibrations or quivering. Photos by Henry C. Schultz.

The Greenbanded Goby shows off its modified suctions cups by clinging to the glass. Photo by Henry C. Schultz.

Today I was browsing around at an LFS when I noticed couple of this little beauties ...

Recently when I was researching Neon Goby/Cleaner Goby, I read your article when I noticed this (non-cleaner) and today couldn't resist them (yup, another of my impulse purchase). But the LFS guy didn't even realize these two were still alive as he almost forgot about those ....he gave me great deal for two I could point out to him.

Long story short, I got those and as you stated in your article, right on the substrate (started picking on something right away). Both kinda moved far away from each other which could very much mean I have both male :rolleye1:

Anyway, more you can tell me about it, will be highly appreciated (especially, do you think they will fight with neon gobies?

LFS guy called those "Red Head Goby" but I know those are quite different than Gobiosoma puncticulatus (Thanks to your article).

 

[Skipper]

Hey intekhab. Henry just left yesterday for a dive trip in Florida. He's not scheduled to return until June 1st. So... it may possibly be awhile before he is able to answer. He may (or may not) have internet access.

 

[intekhab]

Oh Bummer!! I may have passed him on the way....I just came from FL this morning.

Thanks for the FYI Skipper... I wont expect a response anytime soon.

On a different note, between my last post and now, I can't find one of the two ... but he/she only half inch and my tank is 200G

I hope my Fairy Wrasse didn't make a meal out of him but that's is highly unlikely as cleaner gobies are always near the wrasse and they are all intact

 

[intekhab]

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They are both safe and sound

They are both living in a single crevice about 1-1/2 inch from the sandbed....TOGETHER :bounce2: :bounce1: :bounce3:

I have no idea how they found each other but I saw them moving far away from each other (as I stated in my earlier post) and this is a 200G tank with high current and too many places to get lost in

Anyway, so happy to see them together and potentially mated pair.

 

[Sloeber]

thanks skip

Anyway, more you can tell me about it, will be highly appreciated (especially, do you think they will fight with neon gobies?

the article covers about all i know they should have no problem sharing the tank with numerous other gobies.

HTH

henry

 

[intekhab]

Welcome back Henry...

Alas, I only see one ...but who knows, the other one might be hiding somewhere nearby... it's a 200G tank and those are less than half inch each

I guess my specific questions where,

-Any obvious way to tell male/female apart
-Do they change sex like clownfish, so if I added two male if they have any chance of actually pairing up after one convert ...
-I have lots of Aiptasia, and some are huge! Any chance one might got caught in Aiptasia

I wish I added those to a Nano Reef, but I did not have one ready. But as I said, I still see one every now and then (not sure if I see the same one) when I look very closely and concentrate :lolspin:

Thanks