sandsifting goby.

[RynoParsons]

I have a sandsifting goby for about 2months now. He did great sifting thru the sand whole day long now suddenly he is hiding and doesnt eat any more?
Nothing in the tank changed.
tank been running a year now
250Gallon
Temp is stable
Alk 8.5
Ph 8.2
Nitrates 5ppm
Phosphates 0
Nothing changed and its a big tank mature with lots of fien sand? Cant get a pic of him as he is hiding. Also dont see any thysical signs of dissease

 

[snorvich]

What else is in the tank? When was the last fish added?

 

[RynoParsons]

He was the last fish added.
Have 2clowns
Jumping bean angel
Yellow tang
Regal tang
Bristletooth tang
5 anthias
Cleaner wrasse
2 cleaner shrimp
1 fire shrimp
Few hermit crabs
Turbo snails
1 sandsifting starfish
1 velvet fish

 

[snorvich]

I was looking for intimidation but see no obvious fish. However, I do not know what a "velvet fish" is. Do you have the real name? Was he quarantined? Did he come from a supplier that ran copper in his tanks?

 

[RynoParsons]

Yep I work in a lfs in South africa all my fish is was in copper tanks for alteast 4 weeks before I took them home. Cant remember the biological name but he is harmless fish very small about a inch in size cant part of the scorpion fish family slightly toxic like a bee sting but stays small at like 4cm max. But my other fish cant be the reason for him not eating my bristle tooth tang did bother him for like the first day he was introduced in the tank but agter that the goby just minded his own business doing what a goby does all day long. All the other fish is in top health. Feed daily with pellets flakes or frozen food. And 3 times a week I soak it in seachem vitality for extra vitamines. The goby even ate the sinking pellets when they dropped close enough for him to notice them

 

[RynoParsons]

Also made sure my tank is mature enough before I introduced him. Watched him for 4weeks at the shop making sure he is wating and gaining weight as they where very skinny when the shipment landed

 

[snorvich]

Non-therapeutic copper dosage can mask parasites. Carefully watch all other fish in the tank for reclusive behavior.

 

[RynoParsons]

Actually noticed yesterday that a crab or something gashed him right under his mouth. Added another goby and it is helping him to come out more and also actually seeing him eating a bit again. Unconventional way of solving the problem but somehow works.