yellow watchman goby - please help me: Is he okay?

[first29gallon]

Hi, I placed a yellow watchman goby (and a pistol shrimp) in my tank about a week ago using the drip method. The shrimp had a "hand" and several of its legs missing. I am told that these grow back so I am not concerned with that. But the goby is what I AM concerned about. Now both share the same rock and have been since day 2 in my 29 gallon. However just tonight the goby has been swimming around the tank and looks disoriented. He literally spins in a corkscrew manner all around the tank as if he was drunk. Its not a slow swim but a spazzing fast swim of twists and loops. After 5 second "sprints" of this behavior he settles on the sand bed, sometimes sideways, breathing heavily. All other fish and inverts (clown, parrot, sexy shrimp, wrasse, and crabs) are doing fine. What is going on with the goby?

 

[Sk8r]

Oxygen shortage, possiby. You don't say tank size or skimmer. Take pitcher or plastic container, dip and pour from a slight height, and repeat until pours equal tank volume. Repeat every 4 hours. Tomorrow, if this has helped, get a stronger pump or add aeration, or skimmer with Venturi type.

 

[Sapelo]

Is this right that you now have the following fish in a 29 gallon:
clown, parrot, goby, and wrasse?
That could be part of the problem.
Also sounds like you didn't QT the goby so you may be facing something he contracted on the way to you since all other fish are behaving normally??

 

[FindingEmily]

I know a shark and goby are not exactly created equal, but I read something similar to this in a predatory fish forum about someone's shark swimming in a corkscrew motion all over the tank. I think they decided on it being some kind of nerve damage. Maybe a rock fell on him at one point?

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

My guess is either the wrasse or parrot fish is bullying it.

 

[gone fishin]

with the info given I agree with Adrienne. IMO you got some aggression brewing in your tank.

 

[DJasak]

What about water chemistry? From my understanding parrots are huge waste producers, u may have an ammonia spike or something going on that u can't see (I know probably not likely cause all the other fish are acting fine) but it's worth looking in to. First thing I do when I see a fish is acting funny is run some water tests.