YWG in overflow, again

[Squibege]

While I was on vacation a few weeks ago my YWG disappeared and was found a few days later in the overflow by my Dad/ fish-sitter. Chased him around for at least an hour with the smallest net I could find. Gave up and found him in the sump the next morning. Chased him around again until he dove into a pile of LR rubble. Tried my best to get him out without crushing him [emoji20] I was successful in netting him and getting him back in the DT, but he had lost a lot of energy by this point and literally just floated with the current to the bottom. I thought he was going to be a goner... but three days later he was out from hiding and eating with the other fish no problem. Everything seemed fine!

A few days after that I don't see him out to eat. Don't see him the next day, the third day I checked the overflow... aaaaand there he is again [emoji35]

How the heck do I get him out of there without hurting the bugger?? It was SUCH A PAIN and super stressful worrying about crushing him last time. It's a herbie style overflow and I have both pipes glued in.

To prevent him going over yet again, I'm thinking of putting a sponge or something as a 'lid' on the overflow so water can pass through the slits, but hopefully not a goby.

Any help would be much appreciated!! TIA!!

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[cougareyes]

You can glue a piece of plastic to cover the top or attach netting if your overflow has something to attach it to.

 

[Squibege]

You can glue a piece of plastic to cover the top or attach netting if your overflow has something to attach it to.

He's small enough to pass through the slits so I don't think a plastic lid would do much to discourage I've tried to put some mesh behind right when I set up the tank, but it impeded water flow too much. I think I need to do something like that though... just need to experiment with materials


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[cougareyes]

1/4 " netting like this, won't impede water flow. They even make it in 1/8", some places sell it by the foot also. You can put a dab of superglue every inch or so to keep nit in place. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/clear-netting.html?sku=220100&gclid=CMjGmcrJjNICFYE9gQodtm0PEQ

 

[Squibege]

This is what I had glued before. Mesh would probably be better since it's less thick... would 1/8 be better?


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[ThRoewer]

Do you have him alone or with a pistol shrimp?
I have Stonogobiops shrimp gobies that are generally smaller, but no such issues because they live with their shrimps.

Your little guy is likely looking around to find a shrimp.

My recommendation would be to get a pistol shrimp. The right one for these would be a Tiger pistol shrimp, but a candy cane should also work and that one is less disruptive to the gravel.

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[rocsec1]

My mattedfile fish did the same thing this weekend. Was a pain to get him out but he finally was back in the tank.ifit happens again I will get an overflow cover

 

[BigBlueTang]

Do you have him alone or with a pistol shrimp?
I have Stonogobiops shrimp gobies that are generally smaller, but no such issues because they live with their shrimps.

Your little guy is likely looking around to find a shrimp.

My recommendation would be to get a pistol shrimp. The right one for these would be a Tiger pistol shrimp, but a candy cane should also work and that one is less disruptive to the gravel.

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Is the candy cane shrimp an Alpheus Randalli? I would love to have a symbiotic relationship with my watchman goby... Sorry to hijack OP!

 

[Squibege]

No worries! If I get one I need to know too


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[ca1ore]

I use gutter guard to keep small fish out of the overflow.

 

[ThRoewer]

Is the candy cane shrimp an Alpheus Randalli? I would love to have a symbiotic relationship with my watchman goby... Sorry to hijack OP!

Yes, Alpheus randalli. That one also has the advantage that you can have several in a tank. I had 4 in an 18" cube. In my 100 gallon tank I have 3 right now.

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