Unhappy Citron Goby... I think?

[BronxReefer]

So yesterday I picked up a nice citron goby at my LFS. At first he went right to the rock and perched up looking beautiful. I was worried because my little cinnamon clown could have potentially gotten aggressive, but all it did was show a little interest.

A couple of hours after putting the goby in, it started pacing the glass on one side of the tank gradually moving to the top and then doing the same on the other side. Now the little guy just sits and chills towards the top of the tank, taking breaks to pace a little bit. On top of it all, I have yet to see the goby eat in the past 24 hours.

Tank info: 29 gal biocube -- clown and goby are only residents besides a fire shrimp. Nitrate is a bit high (40), but have been bringing it down with frequent small water changes.

Questions: 1) Is this normal for a new goby? 2) how worried should i be?

 

[ginpang]

So many questions... How long was he at the store for before you got him? Was the fish eating at the store? What was he eating at the store? Does the tank have sufficient rock or coral to hide or crouch in?
Basically the behaviour you're describing isn't particularly alarming for a gobiodon sp..Though if he doesn't eat you may want to try live pray if the store employees can't provide you with the information you need or haven't really paid attention on wether or not it was eating to begin with.

Also keep on that nitrate issue and it should be alright . They're tough little buggars . If your lfs has calaurpa for sale it could suck up all that nitrate and provide hiding spots for your goby.

Hope this helps

 

[oldbones]

Throw in a really expensive SPS frag for him to nip at, that seems to make my Yellow Clown Goby particularly happy!


Fish trap coming in the mail tomorrow.

 

[BronxReefer]

Lots of rocks... I'll call the store tomorrow to get some info on my little citron.. after posting it almost immediately started acting normal, but resumed pacing and has now found a perch up high on the return pump tube... weirdo.


As far as live prey... are we talkin pods? If I buy one of those bags full of live pods, what are the chances of them setting up a sustainable source for my goby?

thanks for the replies!

 

[Fishmaster13]

I think he means more along the lines of live brine shrimp for live food, but a goby being shy like that is completely normal behavior for a newly introduced fish

 

[ginpang]

Throw in a really expensive SPS frag for him to nip at, that seems to make my Yellow Clown Goby particularly happy!


Fish trap coming in the mail tomorrow.

Yes lol! Acropora Will work. But unless you can find frags for 10-20 bucks it's not worth it . He'll probably acclimate fine just with sufficient perching spots.
If you can hatch a batch of brine shrimp that' ll do but if you're short on time and you have access to ready made pods that's ok too.

 

[BronxReefer]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I bit the bullet and donated my cinnamon clown to my LFS -- bon voyage you freaking bully! After I took the clown out it was crazy how fast the goby relaxed.... Unfortunately for him I NEED a clown so a new ice mocha joined him the next day. He started freaking out again -- maybe emotionally scared by his first clown encounter -- but has subsequently started taking breaks from his panic to relax on the rocks. Hopefully he realizes this inbred mocha is not hurting anyone soon...