Torn btw 3 gobies

[SaltWaterAdam]

I would like to get a good sand sifting goby for my tank 30 gallon, just a couple peppermint shrimp so far, and CUC. about a 3 month old tank.

I am torn between the pink spotted watchman, tiger watchman, and the diamond watchman....

Any input/experience with these guys???

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

My vote is for the pink spotted watchman. It is a true watchman goby so it is more sedentary and IMO more appropriate for a 30g tank. It will still sift some sand, but not as much as the tiger or diamond, but I think tigers and diamonds are too active for a 30g tank.

 

[Psi]

I have a diamond goby in a 90g. This guy is active all over sand bed. He was a little over an inch long almost 4 years ago. He is now over 3". I can't imagine him being happy in something 1/3 the size now.

 

[SDguy]

My vote is for the pink spotted watchman. It is a true watchman goby so it is more sedentary and IMO more appropriate for a 30g tank. It will still sift some sand, but not as much as the tiger or diamond, but I think tigers and diamonds are too active for a 30g tank.

I have a diamond goby in a 90g. This guy is active all over sand bed. He was a little over an inch long almost 4 years ago. He is now over 3". I can't imagine him being happy in something 1/3 the size now.

Agreed. I like randall's goby too.

 

[l3leedingstar]

I have both a diamond and pink spot in my 180.the pink spot is more then twice the size of the diamond and sifts absolutely no sand.the little diamond is busy all day long.I don't have any corals close to the sand but if I did he might be a problem.if your looking for a worker I'd go with the diamond,just get a small one (then upgrade when need be)

 

[Andyf30]

+1 as far as corals near the sand. Had a small Diamond in my old 40 breeder and he covered half my sps in sand. Had to pull him after just 2 weeks cuz he caused so many sand storms. Personally I'm very fond of Randall's gobies. Tons of personality with those guys. I had one (before he went hardwood surfing) that formed a relationship with my derasa clam. He used to clam as a perch, and after a week or so the clam got used to it. Pretty cool to see a 2 inch fish using a 4 inch clam as a perch

 

[SaltWaterAdam]

Ahhh... you guys!! You're not making it easier...lol

Sand sifter, appropriate size for tank... think I am leaning towards a diamond since my tank is FOWLR

 

[bambam918]

Randall's is the best IMO. The diamond goby will create a huge mess that will drive you crazy, at least it did for me.

 

[ca1ore]

Wasn't that the name of a famous song, 'Torn Between Three Gobies ....'

 

[SaltWaterAdam]

Wasn't that the name of a famous song, 'Torn Between Three Gobies ....'

Will the Randal sift, looking for a guy to turn some sand over

 

[reefgoddess808]

I would say if your main concern is getting the sand turned over, just get some ceriths if you don't already have some in your CUC, nassuris will sift sand too. Then you can get whatever goby you want

 

[SaltWaterAdam]

I would say if your main concern is getting the sand turned over, just get some ceriths if you don't already have some in your CUC, nassuris will sift sand too. Then you can get whatever goby you want

I've got some nassarius but the problem is they don't sift everywhere. Lol, it's funny, they will bubble up from the sand, scavenge for bits, then go back to "home base" and burrow in, they only burrow in one spot, so that corner of the tank is immaculate...lol.