Is this typical behavior for goby pairs?

[jlanger]

Two weeks ago a pair of Randall's Gobies (A. randalli) was added to our reef display. There was already a Tiger Pistol Shrimp (A. bellulus) in the display and the two fish and shrimp immediately paired together. All three hung out at the burrow for the first couple of days, but since then things have changed.

The larger (female?) of the gobies, which is about twice the size of the smaller, will keep to staying close to the burrow and protect the shrimp. But (she) will force the (male) away from the burrow and (he) seems to set up his post about six to twelve inches away from the burrow. Even during the overnight hours, (he) stays outside of the burrow, while (she) is down inside. The only time (he) gets to go inside is when I have to clean the tank or fed the lps corals. Once my hand gets in the water, they both go into the burrow.

So.. is this common behavior of a pair of shrimp gobies? Does the female stay close to the shrimp and burrow while the male is forced to have patrol duty? Or... Is the honeymoon over now that they've paired up with a shrimp?

Just curious.
Thanks for any and all replies.

-JASON

As a side note... The shrimp has definitely benefited from the gobies. It has digging and cleaning the burrow no-stop since the fish were introduced. And it will venture out and about A LOT more than it used to. It's very happy now.

 

[snorvich]

Why do you think they are a pair?

 

[jlanger]

They were purchased as a pair from DD.

 

[snorvich]

They were purchased as a pair from DD.

A VERY good reason. I cannot think of why the male has been excluded, but from personal experience, mine stayed together: 2 shrimp and a pair of gobies.

 

[jlanger]

Just to update this thread...

Just to update this thread...

I believe that the pair is no longer together. (If they were ever a pair to begin with...) The female has completely rejected the male. She has forced him to stay in one corner of the tank. When it comes to feeding, she will chase him away before going after any food. Somedays his fins are ragged and once his tail looked like it had been bit. Not to worry though, he still is very active and looks in good health (after he recovers from any aggression). Our plan is to hopefully move him into a new home and pair him up with his own shrimp. Or does anyone think by just adding a second shrimp, he may do okay with her in the same tank. Possible reconciliation?

-JASON

 

[AfricaOffroad]

Divorce is always a sad affair. So the female got custody of the shrimp. What sort of visitation rights did you arrange for the male goby?

 

[scubasteve06]

None he was forced to pay alimony and got the boot to the motel 6 down the street and be forever shamed in the gobile community.