Signal Goby (Signigobius biocellatus)

[The Shrimp X]

I have been wondering about everyone's experiences with this fish. How deep of a sand bed do you have? Is it better to have a pair? What do you fed them? How log have you had them?

I would like to know, because I plan on adding either one or two to my 75 gallon reef once it has been set up for a month or so (I am upgrading from a 29, so the 75 will be seeded with 2 year old sand, rock, and also some water.)
I cant seem to find to much information on this fish.
Any help is appreciated




~David~

 

[rich415]

Everybody will tell you not to get them because they won't eat.

But I have had one going strong for a year now. They are really reluctant to take prepared foods. I got mine to feed by using 3/4" rigid tubing conected to a plastic syringe. I used live tubifex and squirted it in the sand and as the worm die they wriggle. This causes the fish to go after it. After the fish gets the idea that food comes out ofthe tube it was pretty easy to get it to take mysis and other frozen foods.

They are really timid though, so any really active or aggressive fish will scare it and it won't eat. I have a pair of Ocelaris with in a 37 gallon. The clowns do intimidate the goby at feeding time. I put food in the sand, so it doesn't have to compete with the clowns for food. The goby also gets bullied by my cleaner shrimp. But it does hold its own against the peppermint shrimp.

My tank has about 2" of sand in it. The goby only sifts the very top layer but its burrow is quite deep.

Remember, I am no expert and this is my only twin spot goby but it has been living for a year in my tank.

 

[The Shrimp X]

Well my LFS has what seem to be a pair, and I have seen them eat brine and other frozen foods on its own. So could it be that when there is a pair they tend to be less timid? Just a thought.

 

[Peter Schmiedel]

If the eat and the belly line is not totally sunken in you could give them a try if you meet the following requirements:

* Limited - moderat current !!!
* peacefull tank mates, no fast eaters
* fine sand bed
* stones where they can dig under to built their night borrow

 

[rich415]

i would have to guess and say that pairs are probably more confident and less timid. But I only have 1. That is the extent of my experience. If they are eating and you do not wish to get any aggressive tank mates, then I would definitely give it a shot.

Godd Luck.