Hector's with Rainford's Goby

[Bela N]

I would love to put both a Hectors and Rainford's goby in our tank.

I realize they are very similar & may fight. It is my hope that this may not happen in a 140 gal tank with lots of hiding places & a large coral population.

1. Has anyone kept these to gobies together? What were the results.

2. Do you think they would get along in our tank? See pic.

Thanks

 

[small alien]

Id say its a crap shoot. If you're lucky and they're opposite sex, that could help. Maybe someone has tried it. A thought, with so many cool gobies, firefish, etc. you could stock, why both? I know they're. Cool. I've had both at separate time. Great fish.

 

[AquaticFins]

I wouldn't be too concerned about it in your situation.

They are definitely quite territorial, but your aquarium appears to have plenty of rockwork and coral cover for them. I probably wouldn't put more than two in your tank, but I wouldn't expect much trouble between them.

In my experience, they seem to have a roughly 2ft x 2ft territory. With such heavy rockwork and coral cover, your aquarium should be fine for two.

 

[snorvich]

Id say its a crap shoot. If you're lucky and they're opposite sex, that could help. Maybe someone has tried it. A thought, with so many cool gobies, firefish, etc. you could stock, why both? I know they're. Cool. I've had both at separate time. Great fish.

Yes, it is a roll of the dice. Ideally they establish territories far from each other. But, of course, life is not perfect and then . . . And small alien has a great point. So many great choices, why risk it.

 

[Bela N]

Id say its a crap shoot. If you're lucky and they're opposite sex, that could help. Maybe someone has tried it. A thought, with so many cool gobies, firefish, etc. you could stock, why both? I know they're. Cool. I've had both at separate time. Great fish.

You mentioned opposite sex. Can they be sexed? How?

Before I answer why both let me answer Why Rainford's. I have filamentous algae growing on my frag plugs (black egg crates at top & side of tank). I have to scrape them every 2 weeks, a pain. Rainford's is supposed to me a voracious filamentous algae eater. My only concern is will Rainford's forage 18" up the tank to the egg crates? As to why also a Hector's, a very cool fish and I understand it is more likely to forage high in the tank than Rainford's. It is my hope if one doesn't the other will. I picked these two as they are both small. I have no sump or refugium so I have to be very very careful with bio-load. Even though it is a 140 gal the rock & corals take up a lot of space. If you look carefully, the rock & corals come right to the front of the tank. For all I know there is only 50 gal of actual water in the tanks. I am thinking small fish = small crap therefore low bio-load . Even that may not be true if they eat 24/7. Any suggestions?

 

[Bela N]

So many great choices, why risk it.

I do not want to "risk it", that is why I am posting, to learn from more experience members. I was hopping everyone would say no problem. As to why both see my response to small alien.

What would you suggest?

 

[Bela N]

A thought, with so many cool gobies, firefish, etc. you could stock, why both?

Here is a link to my other post as to why Rainford's.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2062800

 

[RealReef7]

i've had a rainfords in the past, great fish