Problem with Diamond Gobies

[callsign4223]

I love diamond gobies, but it doesn't seem like they love me. I have had 3 and none have survived.

The first 2 were an obvious screwup on my part. I didn't have sufficient cover on the tank and one jumped the other went down the overflow and got stuck in the pipe. I thought I had learned my lesson and put on a full screen top, and covered the entrances to the overflow with gutter guard.

The newest goby did good for 2 months but then disappeared. I checked the overflow just in case he did manage to get over, but no luck.

What am I doing wrong? This is in a 120 gallon tank that has been running for almost 2 years at this point. Should I just give up on Diamond Gobies and get a sand sifter star to keep the sand clean?

 

[alton]

If your rock sits on the sand versus the glass with sand filled in around the rock, then you cant have a goby?

 

[Bent]

Sand sifting gobies like diamond watchman gobies are better left in the ocean. They turn the sand over and eat the micro fauna in it. Once the food source is gone, they starve.

They were doomed. Overflow or not.

 

[callsign4223]

Sand sifting gobies like diamond watchman gobies are better left in the ocean. They turn the sand over and eat the micro fauna in it. Once the food source is gone, they starve.

They were doomed. Overflow or not.

This guy was eating the Rods and LRF food without hesitation.

 

[callsign4223]

If your rock sits on the sand versus the glass with sand filled in around the rock, then you cant have a goby?

The rock is solid on the glass bottom. It's possible something shifted, but he's had his burrow in the same spot for months. I dunno, maybe he decided it was time to move and started digging another one.

 

[rffanat1c]

I've got one too. Thin rail of a fish despite eating prepared food all day long. Seems they should be left in the ocean.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bent]

This guy was eating the Rods and LRF food without hesitation.

It won't matter. They need more calories per day than you could ever feed them. They have to eat constantly.

 

[callsign4223]

So, any other suggestions for critters to keep the sand looking nice? The goby did a great job, now it looks like crud again.

 

[Bent]

So, any other suggestions for critters to keep the sand looking nice? The goby did a great job, now it looks like crud again.

My suggestion is this:

It's the only sure fire way to actually get it cleaned. Even if an animal eats the crud, it still has to poop at some point.

 

[ca1ore]

Diamond Gobies are tough. I'm lucky to have one that doesn't kick up too much sand and eats frozen foods, and as I keep anthias, the tank is fed multiple times per day; but I think that's the exception rather than the rule. Mines going in 4 years. He's quite cryptic, and I can go weeks without seeing it. One time I thought he died until I spotted this thick-lipped, frog-like face peeking out from under a chalice.

Sand sifting star is a poor choice as they almost always starve as well. I prefer snails and really high flow to help turn over my sand (I don't vacuum)