popeye sea goblin

[rayn]

Any and all info on these guys would be cool. Lfs just got one in, but it hasn't ate yet. Potential tank mates? Puffers, lions, eels? Does it stay mostly hidden and ambush, or could it be weaned to frozen?

 

[rayn]

bump

 

[Fibinotchi]

Sorry but I'm not familiar with the name popeye for any goblin. Could you find a picture and scientific name so we could better help you.

 

[rayn]

Sure thing, how about this....inimicus didactylus


Here is a link as well
http://www.theboxofwater.com/products/Popeye-Sea-Goblin-(Inimicus-didactylus).html

 

[namxas]

Popeye sea goblins is indeed one of the common names for Inimicus sp. stingfish. The most common species in the trade is I. dactylus.

IMHO, they're super interesting fish, altho if you're looking for a lot of motion, stingfish aren't for you. They're good eaters and aren't terribly tuff to wean onto dead foods. Inimicus spend most of their time buried up to their eyes/snout where they lie in wait for tasty prey to venture within striking range. When out and about, these fish usually "walk" around on their dactyls (the modified pectoral rays that look like legs).

If you're a fan of the weird and wild, this is a perfect fish, and IMHO, is one of the "must haves" for any scorp collection.

One final word, these fish are just down a notch from stonefish in terms of toxicity, so getting stung will be pretty painful, altho not fatal. Don't worry tho, these fish are VERY easy-going as long as you don't fit into their mouths.

We keep I. didactylus, I. japonicus, and Chorydactylus multibarbus stingfish, so if you have any specifics questions, ask away.

Here's some inspiration:

 

[rayn]

Thanks for the info. I'm not worried about movement as I understood them to be ambush predators. My main worry is tank mates. Lion or puffers in the same tank. I know the lion is a scorpionfish too, but what about puffers? I would hate to see one chomp down on a spine.

 

[namxas]

I'd be concerned with the puffer picking on the goblin and the lionfish both. Puffers have a bad habit of "despining" lionfish, and an Inimicus simply looks like a rock.

 

[rayn]

I had researced the lions and puffers together and got mixed reviews on that. Some have horror stories and others have no problems. I suppose the puffers could bite the spines thinking it was a rock trying to grind their teeth down.

 

[namxas]

Puffers can be fin nippers, period. It's simply in their nature. Some are worse than others, and of course, individual fish will vary as well.

I kept a Diodon sp. puffer with a volitans for 10 years, and never had a problem, but I wouldn't do it now that I know better, nor would I recommend it. It's all about your risk tolerance and having a backup plan.

 

[Sitarangi]

My Goblin (which is about 6" long) went on a hunger strike for about a week or two when i first got him, now he inhales anything that gets near his mouth. Hes also very aggressive and will jump when startled. Their awesome, hardy fish that will fascinate you with their burrowing behavior. They also stir the sand better than any sleeper goby. I say go for it. So far my tankmates with my gob have been a barbfish, stingfish, lions, a ribbon moray, and an arrow crab.

 

[namxas]

Our I. japonicus rooms with a Scorpaena brasiliensis...they do fine together.

 

[rayn]

Thanks guys for the help. I have four tanks sitting for a backup if I need them, but I generally try and do what is safe and best for the fish. If one will eat or kill the other, they don't get mixed. I mayjust try him if it is still there tomorrow.
Thanks for the info on the hunger strike, that would scare me if I wasn't aware.

 

[jarrod13]

Make sure to put a toP on the tank. Mine would get spooked very easily and try to jump out. I've kept numerous venomous fish and this one made me the most nervous

 

[jarrod13]

Also I will add that I wouldn't keep this fish with any kind of a grazer for tankmates. Mine was picked to death in a very short time by a tang. When they're burried they look too much like a tasty piece of algae.

My pics are nothing compared to renee's but here's a little more inspiration, I miss this guy

 

[rayn]

Thanks for the added pics. The bottom is what I had been looking for, just to see them buried. No tangs in this tank, all aggressive.
Thanks for the tip on the lid too. Currently it is covered with eggcrate with the light legs holding it down. There is currently a dog face in there that likes to jump, lid is all that has kept him in.

I'm gonna check on him this afternoon and see if they still have him. Sounds like it should work, just have to keep a eye on the puffer.

 

[rayn]

double post

 

[rayn]

I snagged him today. Just way to cool looking. Already trying to bury itself a little. Sorry for the pics, I can get better ones later when the lights are on.

I need to scrape the glass to, great now that I have a poisonous fish in there I decide to stick my hand in.

 

[stangd1909]

He's pretty cool

 

[ashtree68]

I need to scrape the glass to, great now that I have a poisonous fish in there I decide to stick my hand in.

Magnet scrappers work wonders!

 

[DoubleM 10]

Magnet scrappers work wonders!

i have 2 tanks with venomus fish and i <3 magnet scrappers