what does a watchman goby act like? i was wondering if my new fish is ok. Is it normal for it to stay in a cave all the time and only come out to eat? it also stays on the bottom and never swims to any other depth. in fact it rarely ever even moves and when it does move its not even really swimming just slithering on its two bottom fins. maybe i should take it back to the store if its not happy.
watchman goby behavior
- Thread starter nanjib
- Start date
Yep, that's what they do, particularly when new. He watches. Late in the evening, when he feels confident, he'll come out and tootle up and down the glass. He grabs mouthfuls of sand and sifts it through his gills. If you put something into your tank he's scared of he may not come out for months. Many people have had them disappear for 3 months on end: he's scared of purple tangs, in particular.
They're not fond of other things that are yellow. They hate others of their kind, or that look too much like them. They bluster more than they bite, and usually become accustomed to the intrusion of another small fish that just regularly goes through his territory.
They're one of my favorites---bright, very much visible if you don't have threatening fish, and funny in his behaviors.
He'll like a couple of Formula One Sinking Pellets dropped near him. He'll probably dash out and get one and take it back to safety to eat.
They're not fond of other things that are yellow. They hate others of their kind, or that look too much like them. They bluster more than they bite, and usually become accustomed to the intrusion of another small fish that just regularly goes through his territory.
They're one of my favorites---bright, very much visible if you don't have threatening fish, and funny in his behaviors.
He'll like a couple of Formula One Sinking Pellets dropped near him. He'll probably dash out and get one and take it back to safety to eat.
sunfish11
Premium Member
I just got my tiger pistol for my watchman goby last Friday. I was absolutely amazed when within 10 minutes they had paired up. Really neat relationship. I see more of my watchman then I ever did before I got the shrimp.
I would warn against buying clicking rock from anywhere. It could just as well be a mantis and it will eat your goby
. Your LFS can order you a pistol shrimp then you can be sure what you are getting. They can also get different kinds of pistol shrimp.
Lisa
I would warn against buying clicking rock from anywhere. It could just as well be a mantis and it will eat your goby
. Your LFS can order you a pistol shrimp then you can be sure what you are getting. They can also get different kinds of pistol shrimp. Lisa
It sure would be reassuring to know that money you spend on the goby isn't going to be a mantis lunch. I will be buying a goby hoping I have a pistol shrimp. The LFS that I've bought all my LR from says that he's not gotten any mantis in the rock they supply before. I suppose there's the chance of being the first, but I'm hoping not.
It's just such a singular click and apparently mantis usually click several times. "Long Live the Goby!"
It's just such a singular click and apparently mantis usually click several times. "Long Live the Goby!"
sabazerehi
Active member
i have a pink spotted watchman goby and he acted like that when i first got him. i wanted to take him back too but now that he's used to his home (had him for 8 months now) he's one of the coolest fish i have. he's practically a dog he's not afraid of my hand or anything whe i put it in the tank. i would wait it out they're really cool fish.
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