Strange den discovered

[matttaylor]

So looking around the tank this morning i noticed that something had built a den under an oyster shell. It had lined the sides of the shell with larger rocks and rubble. The den also had two openings. At first i thought maybe there was a hitchhiking pistol shrimp or something. Here is the den:

Then about 30 minutes ago i was cleaning the glass and found out who was responsible:

I never knew these guys would create a den. I guess i learned to never underestimate a fishy.

Matt

 

[yoboyjdizz]

cant see any pictures?

 

[mpoletti]

So was it the goby?

 

[miracles38]

That's cool. What kind of blenny or goby is it?

 

[matttaylor]

Sorry, My internet is extremely slow right now, and the pictures take about 30 seconds to pull from my server.

 

[shiveley]

nice gold-faced sleeper goby.

mine pair made a huge network of tunnels under my rockwork...which can be both a good thing, and a little scary.

 

[matttaylor]

It was mr goby. He's a yellowhead sleeper goby (sandsifter). This fish is by far the best investment i've ever made. My sand stays perfectly clean, and he stays fat and happy. I used to have to stir the sand every couple of days to keep it clean, and now he does it for me all day long, even the clams and xenia enjoy the fruits of his labor.

 

[mpoletti]

I agree totally. I have a diamond spot goby and he was the first fish I ever invested in. They do grow at a good pace, but if you have a sand bed, they are a good idea.

 

[matttaylor]

From what i've read about them some tend to starve in an aquarium. However this is the first sand sifter i've had sinve this tank has been up, i have a healthy sandbed population, and i tend to overfeed somewhat, so i know he won't be hungry for quite a while. He also eats mysis when it gets fed to the other fish, so no worries there either.

 

[funman1]

Mine has intricate caves all over the tank under all the major rock work.

He eats what ever the other fish are during feedings and also has now taken a liking to eating nori with my tang.

Him and the tang now battle for who gets to tear off a piece first.

 

[robertloop]

My diamond goby is a picky eater. He grows very slowly and sifts sand all day long. Refuses most flakes but takes frozen mysis pretty good. The sand muching antics are hilarous though. Especially when he (rarlely) gets the crunchy treat he's been looking for after hours of sifting. I'm assuming it is some kind of sand living copapod.

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Cool. That's a nice surprise.