Yellow watchman goby in barebottom

[Mikesville510]

Any experiences? Am I asking for trouble?

 

[Betta132]

Depends. Do you have a lot of boltholes, including ones down at the bottom? What's in the tank?

 

[Mikesville510]

What are boltholes? I just have a bunch of live rock, clowns, chromis and 6 line

 

[silverarrow27]

I think it should be okay, I had one that dug a hole under a rock, but never sifted sand. It was as useless and boring as a bangai cardinal, at least the cardinal swims around though.

 

[Mikesville510]

cool, thanks!

 

[Betta132]

Bolthole is a hole that a fish can bolt into. Hiding places, basically.
They do sometimes sift sand, but it's not something they need to do.

 

[Mark9]

My yellow watchman sifts sand all the time.
Real fun to watch when he finds a bristleworm.
I suggest don't get one if you are BB,

 

[Mikesville510]

That was my hesitation, whether it would starve without sand...

 

[Coelli]

That was my hesitation, whether it would starve without sand...

My yellow watchman eats anything and everything without prejudice. He loves mysis, but he doesn't mind pelleted food either.

 

[Mikesville510]

I appreciate the inputs!

 

[tidus10]

Mine really only sifts sand and maybe eats vegi tabs.. I guess it depends on the fish you get.. I would try and find a swimmer and not a sifter...

Maybe an interview before purchase?

 

[Stevenliu9]

I would suggest observe their behavior and make sure they eat well at store. The one I got eats well, but is the shyest fish ever, I'v had it for almost a year and I've seen it about 10 times total. other than that he's always hiding.

 

[silverarrow27]

Mine ate everything from flakes, pellets, frozen brine and mysis shrimp. It claimed territory to its little hole under the rock and never moved much more than 6" away from it the 5 yrs I had it.

 

[supra400hptt]

Mine never once sifted any sand and eats everything that the rest eat. Only problem since it lives on the bottom is the other fish grab most of the food before it makes it to the bottom.

 

[Mark9]

That was my hesitation, whether it would starve without sand...

I do not think it will starve without sand.
Mine eats just fine out of the water column at feeding time.
But, the rest of the time he spends sifting sand.
I don't think he would be happy without sand.