Yellow Watchman Goby

[Skyesfire]

We have a Yellow Watchman Goby and have only had him for a couple of days. We have been told that they can jump out of the tank. Right now our tank is open at the time. What should we do to prevent him from doing that? He's been sticking to the bottom so far, but we don't want him to venture out while we're asleep at night. Would egg crate be the best choice? And what are some other known facts (good and /or bad) about him?

Thank you.

 

[Illuminati]

I've had one for about 3 months and he has never gone even halfway up the tank. I have never heard they were prone to jumping but I guess that is a risk for any fish.

I spot feed mine with a baster, whenever he see's it he know's it's time to eat and swims up to the opening of it. Cute fish, likes to perch on corals on the sandbed (my zoo's & blasto's)

Good luck, hopefully someone else will chime in with input on the jumping part.

 

[Stanton]

I've had mine for three years with a open top in a 36g. He never leaves the rocks or sandbed. He's a sandbed friendly goby. He doesn't sift alot like the other gobies. He's not aggressive but he will defend the mouth of his burrow. When he gets harrassed he just shoots back in his burrow. Not up and out like most fish being harrassed. If you still feel uncomfirtable...get some egg crate.

 

[ReefArtist]

Yes they can jump out of your tank! IMO - if you care about your pets please try to protect them as much as possible. I'm going to purchase a YWG in about two months and this weekend I'm going to come up with a solution for the jumping. These are our pets and for me I'm going to protect and care for them the best I can. The egg crate solution sounds like a very good idea. I was thinking about custom sized screens and use this when I'm cleaning the tank (My canopy would cover it at other times). I might try the egg crates - very easy and very cheap.

 

[Skyesfire]

Thanks for your replies! Great info.

 

[Sk8r]

Mine never gets above 10 inches above the sand. Of all fish I have [firefish, jester goby] that I worry about jumping, he's about the last...but that depends.

Things in my experience that cause a fish to jump from a tank:
1. a 'fun' current to ride that happens to lead to outside. Black sharks [freshwater] and blue gudgeons and scissortails [salt] tend to this one.
2. an aggressive tankmate: fish jump to elude pursuit: in the wild, it works.
3. extreme fright: I had a t-shirt with a design on it [a ship's wheel] that would cause most of my fish to go pale, attempt to jump, or fall to the sand in a faint.
4. an electrical shock in the water: a leaking heater or the like.

 

[smilby36]

I had 3 in my 125 for 2 1/2 years and they never move 6 inches ablove the sand bed. don't disturd there will be no problems.

 

[ReefArtist]

Just returned from Lowes and took all of ten minutes to cut and install the egg crates. I've had a freshwater cardinal fish jump out of my tank (They’re not jumpers). I Found her the next morning dried up on the floor, I had left the glass top open after feeding. This was easy, cheap (10.50) and with the canopy down can't be seen. Peace of mine that I did something to protect all of my fish from jumping out - priceless.