Thoughts on Rainford Gobies

[captbunzo]

I have been looking for a goby that will do a bit of sand sifting and have come across a very nice looking Rainford Goby. I was wondering if anyone has had much experience with them.

I have seen that they can be a little more challenging. However, one things that helps is to have a pretty established tank with plenty of pods, a refugium, and some algae. My tank fits on all categories, so I thought I might give this a try and pick it up after work.

So, anyone have any comments?

 

[djc1026]

I'm looking for a Rainford's as well for my seahorse tank. I wouldn't think it would be an effective sand sifter though, never read that as a predominant behavior. They are an algae eater for the most part, besides picking on very small pods and such in the live rock.

Dave

 

[Sk8r]

They only sift about 3 grains at a time. They're very small.

 

[captbunzo]

Hehe - yeah, I noticed that they weren't really going to go through very high volumes of sand. From the sifting I saw it doing in the store, I'd say that three grains at a time is pretty realistic.

Anyhow, I picked him up after work, acclimated, and now he's in the tank. He was harassed a little buy my scopas tang at first. But now the scopas seems to have lost interest. He is swimming about and does not seem a bit shy.

 

[captbunzo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7466344#post7466344 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by djc1026
I'm looking for a Rainford's as well for my seahorse tank. I wouldn't think it would be an effective sand sifter though, never read that as a predominant behavior. They are an algae eater for the most part, besides picking on very small pods and such in the live rock.

From my RC searches, most owners comment on them sand sifting most of the time. Of course, again, they aren't going to go through a lot of sand.

There was also some disagreement on whether this thing was really an algae eater. Many sources claimed that was not true.

I guess I will see. It is a pretty little fish.

 

[dugg]

Here is a good link for info on your new friend.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/3/fish

 

[captbunzo]

Excellent article, Dugg. Thanks for posting.

Amusingly enough, he highlights the two gobies that I am currently keeping - a dragon goby in my office tank and the rainford at home.

 

[ZC]

I had a rainford goby for a while, he acctually ate more hair algea then sifted sand, but is a Great little gobbie. Just a little tip of my own experience......tiny gobies and 2' morays don't go well together, the moray will win in the end!

 

[captbunzo]

Thanks for sharing your experiences, ZC. Fortunately, the tank is predator free....

 

[captbunzo]

Aw - I didn't post the pic!


Still in the bag

Also, I came home to find it relaxed and sifting sand. Three grains at a time, of course. And the tang, who was bothering and then interested in it yesterday, was swiming right by it today.

 

[scott0615]

I consider that fish a staple in reef tanks. Great at eating hair / filamentous algae not to mention a great looking fish. The other staple I have always used is Dragon Goby for sifting sand. I prefer them because they don't take a mouthful a drop it all over your rock [they typically drop right over the spot it was picked up]. Those are 2 of my favorite "functional fish".

 

[Youngsilver]

I see that you already bought it, but oh well ..If you want serious sand sifting, get a yellow headed goby

I had one for a long time, and these things turnover mouthfuls at a time

 

[captbunzo]

Yeah - most of the bigger sleeper gobies are good for that. My brother has one of some sorts and I have a Dragon Goby in my office tank. I love the dragon goby and have considered getting one for my 55g tank at home.

Anyone know how well a Rainford Goby & Dragon Goby would do in the same tank? It has a nice thick sandbed (2-3 inches) with lots of critters in it, a good solid refugium, & lots of live rock.

Any thoughts?

 

[Russ Braaten]

I have a Dusky Jawfish that moves a lot of sand and rubble. It is really ugly but a lot of fun to watch. It is the first fish that seems to swim in reverse as fast as it does in forward.

But.. The fish that seems to be moving the most sand in my tank, and I mean a lot of sand, Is a Female Percula Clown.

 

[captbunzo]

Hehe - my yellowtailed blue damselfish does a bit of digging. He will do this little "flury of sand" dig trick that is really funny to watch. And he has dug himself a nice burrow under some rocks.

Here's me glad that I put my rocks in BEFORE the sand...

 

[oddballs]

i love the little rainfords and one of my favrite new fish ive got as of late is the hectors goby or amblygobius hectori they are just like the rainfords but are neon yellow and black striped cool eye candy that perform a function ( even if its a small one!!).

 

[lanamarks]

I love mine and he can usually be found sifting sand. I have hair algae growing on top of my Tunze and he doesn't touch it. Mine has always been easy to keep and no trouble at all. He will even pick bite size pieces of Nori that I break up in the tank.

 

[Cody Ray]

IME if there is sand available they will sift the sand and only occasionally pick at algae. In a BB system mine is contantly picking at the rock and giving me dirty looks for taking his sand away