2 spot Goby

Arsenix2001 · Dec 28, 2019

So Im alittle peeved at my lfs and myself. Normally I research big time, but and old "trusted" friend works there and needless to say I ended up bringing home a two spot goby. Hes already in my tank and no way to get that lazer bolt back out without destroying my tank. I have a 38 gallon with. 1" sand bed. Its stocked with tiger pods and a few amphipods. The tiger pods are everywhere. I have a cheato reactor stuffed and growing well. the only thing I keep telling myself is he already looks slightly emaciated and was probably going to die there anyway. So I want to do anything I can to give him a chance. Any suggestions. Should I keep stalking copepods? Types? He didnt take brine shrimp. Ive read of seeding the sand bed with plankton. Would reef roids work? Appreciate any tips. Will do my best to give this guy a chance.

Arsenix2001 · Dec 30, 2019

Anyone? He seems to have no interest in mysis, brine or flake. He sucks up pellets and spits them out. Even chopped them up finer. He regularly sand sifts, so i have been lacing the sand where he hangs with reef roids. Going to try blood shrimp tomorrow. Ordered tisbe, tiger pods and rotifiers from podyourreef today in an effort to help. Ive seen him pick at rockwork indicating he was going after pods? I stocked with tigger pods about a month ago.

Waters · Dec 31, 2019

They are an extremely hard fish to keep in anything but a large reef tank with a deep established sand bed unfortunately. I have also not head much success keeping them solo.....they need to be kept in pairs. Like you I bought one (per the LFS) back when I first started....ate but just wasted away. Maybe someone else will chime in with some better news lol.

Arsenix2001 · Dec 31, 2019

Man, sad to hear. Cant get him out either. The dang thing is a lazer bolt. Oh well, live and learn. Ill keep my fingers crossed for him and do my homework better next time.

boacvh · Dec 31, 2019

I have had mine for over a year now and I love him. He is super active, digging 24/7.
Here is how I feed him, I saw it in one of the BRS videos. Get the smallest pellets available. And make sure they are laying in the sand near him, mine at least has a very small territory. Then I squirt/cover the sand around them with reef roids. He takes gulps of that sand and is fat as a pig. As he grew he has started to eat mysis. Hope that helps? They are really an incredible fish. I was scared because all the forums circa 2012 say they should be left in the ocean. But when I saw the BRS video I decided to get one. And he is actually pretty resilient once established.

Daveobrien · Dec 31, 2019

I've had my two spot goby for over a year. Cool fish, too bad he decided his territory is the darkest cave I have. Can only see him with a flash light, when I'm motivated. (just checked, he's still there)

No special feeding from me, but I tend to feed my tank heavily - on purpose. Lots of fish, but it's really the corals I'm trying to keep fed on particulates. Therefore lots of reef roids, frozen brine shrimp, and misc frozen foods with lots of particulates.

Hopefully yours is at least visible so you can enjoy him. Otherwise, cool fish.

Arsenix2001 · Dec 31, 2019

boacvh said:
I have had mine for over a year now and I love him. He is super active, digging 24/7.
Here is how I feed him, I saw it in one of the BRS videos. Get the smallest pellets available. And make sure they are laying in the sand near him, mine at least has a very small territory. Then I squirt/cover the sand around them with reef roids. He takes gulps of that sand and is fat as a pig. As he grew he has started to eat mysis. Hope that helps? They are really an incredible fish. I was scared because all the forums circa 2012 say they should be left in the ocean. But when I saw the BRS video I decided to get one. And he is actually pretty resilient once established.

Going to give this method a try. He really hasnt settled down in a particular spot yet so its tough. For now im shutting off all pumps and putting food near it. At least the hermits and snails are loving life. Lol

boacvh · Dec 31, 2019

Arsenix2001 said:
Going to give this method a try. He really hasnt settled down in a particular spot yet so its tough. For now im shutting off all pumps and putting food near it. At least the hermits and snails are loving life. Lol

Mine took a while to settle down. (In part also because I was panicked trying to force food down his throat! Hahaha) but once he settled he started eating the sand. Also, I forgot to mention I use one of Julian's things to squirt the reef roids or reef chili in the sand so I don't scare him with my hand.

Chris_Noles · Jun 1, 2021

boacvh said:
Mine took a while to settle down. (In part also because I was panicked trying to force food down his throat! Hahaha) but once he settled he started eating the sand. Also, I forgot to mention I use one of Julian's things to squirt the reef roids or reef chili in the sand so I don't scare him with my hand.

So I just bought one of these and didn’t realize they needed pods and are finicky eaters, I just bought some reef roids and I’m going to try your method, if you have any more tips on them lmk!!!

boacvh · Jun 2, 2021

Chris_Noles said:
So I just bought one of these and didn’t realize they needed pods and are finicky eaters, I just bought some reef roids and I’m going to try your method, if you have any more tips on them lmk!!!

I literally just squirt some chili or reefroids in the sand near him. I am just careful not to scare him away.