Pink Spotted Watchman Goby having a hard time acclimating, looking for suggestions.

[nigeldcat]

I have a Pink Spotted Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus) that was in quarantine for a month. He was eating but not aggressively and very shy. I put him in my 150 G main tank and he explored a little and then after about 12 hours headed up to the top corner of the tank. No signs of aggressiveness from other inhabitants (Kole Tang, Eibli Angel, Longnose Butterfly, Midas Blenny, Six Line Wrasse, 2 Percula Clowns, 2 cleaner shrimp, 2 blood shrimp) I let him hang out there for about 24 hours and he showed no signs of moving, so moved him back to QT tank. Once in QT tank he started eating more aggressively and was not as shy.

He has been in QT for a week since initial attempt and I have fattened him up a bit more on Mysis and Brine shrimp. He still wont go for flake or NLS pellets.

Should I give it more time in QT or should I try getting him into main tank sooner than later? Any acclimation hints?

 

[o2manyfish]

Mine is not an aggressive eater. He eats when food is in the water column and no other fish are around. Mine spent about 6 months on the bottom of the tank. Then he move to a top back corner of the tank. My tank has slab rock mounted on the back wall and he found a cave in the rockwork and he hangs out there all the time.

It's definitely a very passive fish. When new fish are added to the tank I have seen them go right into his cave opening and he just recoils even when the fish is much smaller than him.

Dave B

 

[Newsmyrna80]

^mine is the same way. I've had mine 2 years and he still hides when I get close to the tank to feed them. For the most part he doesn't eat with the rest of the fish. You could try an acclimation box with PVC or rock for him to hide in.

 

[nigeldcat]

Thanks for the replies. Good to hear they are pretty timid. All the other fish were much more active once moved for QT to main tank. This is the first fish that really seemed to be the opposite. I was thinking of throwing a PVC section in to help along with dimming the lights for a few days. I'll try and acclimate again this weekend and see how it goes.

 

[nigeldcat]

Update, he has been in main tank for the last 36 hours and has found a hiding spot in the rocks. Lights are dimmed, but not much movement except to lunge at a passing snack. Most timid fish I have ever had.

 

[nigeldcat]

Update

Update

Well he has settled in and is eating now. Not eagerly, still a picky eater, not flakes, but Mysis, Brine Shrimp, and Rods.

 

[nigeldcat]

Finally saw it taking flake food today! Well that took a while.

 

[clownfish123321]

That's a beautiful specimen