BAR (zebra) Goby questions

[ajjw0828]

Hi Everyone,

Looking into stocking my 210gallon and really like these zebra gobies. Just have a few questions.

1.) Will they tolerate a bare bottom or like some wrasses do they need the sand to sleep in.
2.) What's the best quarantine method for these guys? I usually use Chloroquine Phosphate, but I know some fish don't tolerate certain treatments.
3.) Any tips for success or lessons learned with these guys?

Thank you for the help!

 

[Timfish]

They do need hiding places but sand isn't essential for them and they spook easier than other gobies and are great jumpers.

(edited to correct typo)

 

[ReefHog]

I used CP in bare bottom QT on my pair and they handled it just fine. Mine do "dart" in the sand under several rocks but spend most of their time, when not in the open water column, in the holes and crevices in the rock structure. They absolutely are jumpers and one of mine found a tiny opening in the screen RIP The remaining one spends way more time in the rockwork than the sand, so I'm not sure it's essential if you have plenty of holey rocks.

 

[ajjw0828]

They do need hiding places but sand is essential for them and they spook easier than other gobies and are great jumpers.

Thanks for the feedback, I have a very tight fitted screen on my tank so now worries about jumping, but the sand will be a problem. Was hoping some people had success stories keeping them in bare bottoms.

 

[ajjw0828]

I used CP in bare bottom QT on my pair and they handled it just fine. Mine do "dart" in the sand under several rocks but spend most of their time, when not in the open water column, in the holes and crevices in the rock structure. They absolutely are jumpers and one of mine found a tiny opening in the screen RIP The remaining one spends way more time in the rockwork than the sand, so I'm not sure it's essential if you have plenty of holey rocks.

Good to hear! I like CP and it's easy to use. I posted a pic of the tank they would be going in. Good to know about the jumping, have a good tight fitting screen on the tank. Do you think this rock work would be enough for them to hide/ live in?

 

[ReefHog]

Good to hear! I like CP and it's easy to use. I posted a pic of the tank they would be going in. Good to know about the jumping, have a good tight fitting screen on the tank. Do you think this rock work would be enough for them to hide/ live in?

I love Chloroquine Phosphate. Unfortunately, it is impossible to find now-a-days. Luckly I have enough to last for well over a year or two. I thought my lid was tight. Somehow he found a sliver of a cutout around my Sea Swirl. Amazing how they find the tiniest of openings. As it turned out, one of my four Azure damsels was harassing the gobies making them skittish. I finally figured it out with the help of a web camera. He's since been relocated to another tank with a puffer and trigger. Now the Bar Goby is out and about all the time and not near as skittish. I find that they seem to do better as a pair or group for sure. I plan on getting another one soon. Looks like plenty of hiding spots throughout your aquascape. I'm not anywhere near an expert and only have experience with my two guys but mine never really buried themselves per se. Just darted under rocks where there is sand from time to time. They both spent way more time in the rock structures than under them in the sand. I say give it a shot. And get two or more so they are more comfortable out in the open. BTW, my DT is a 220 as well.

 

[ajjw0828]

I love Chloroquine Phosphate. Unfortunately, it is impossible to find now-a-days. Luckly I have enough to last for well over a year or two. I thought my lid was tight. Somehow he found a sliver of a cutout around my Sea Swirl. Amazing how they find the tiniest of openings. As it turned out, one of my four Azure damsels was harassing the gobies making them skittish. I finally figured it out with the help of a web camera. He's since been relocated to another tank with a puffer and trigger. Now the Bar Goby is out and about all the time and not near as skittish. I find that they seem to do better as a pair or group for sure. I plan on getting another one soon. Looks like plenty of hiding spots throughout your aquascape. I'm not anywhere near an expert and only have experience with my two guys but mine never really buried themselves per se. Just darted under rocks where there is sand from time to time. They both spent way more time in the rock structures than under them in the sand. I say give it a shot. And get two or more so they are more comfortable out in the open. BTW, my DT is a 220 as well.

Thanks for the help! I think I will give it a try and see how they do. I think they could be a pretty schooling fish to keep. I'll update this with how it turns out! Have any pictures of your 220?

 

[ReefHog]

This is why you don’t see the Bar Goby. He darted in his hole right when I started filming. Look close right at beginning.

 

[ajjw0828]

This is why you don’t see Var Goby. He darted in his hole right when I started filming.

I'm Jealous! Ordered a Moorish idol but he didn't make it through quarantine. It was direct from Hawaii I believe, might try ordering through NY aquatics as I've heard good things about them not selling any fish not eating. Tank looks sweeeet!

 

[ReefHog]

I'm Jealous! Ordered a Moorish idol but he didn't make it through quarantine. It was direct from Hawaii I believe, might try ordering through NY aquatics as I've heard good things about them not selling any fish not eating. Tank looks sweeeet!

Thanks for the compliment. More of a fish first, corals second reef but thats the way I like it. I've never bought fish on line. And while I've taken the challenge of fish that were not eating, I wouldn't buy a Moorish Idol or CBB without first seeing them eat. I actually bought both at same time last February. Thay also did just fine with Chloroquine Phosphate. Both went on hunger strikes throughout quarantine but with an assortment of foods on hand, I was able to always get them back on track until they were out of the medication. Then they were food monsters.

 

[Timfish]

Thanks for the feedback, I have a very tight fitted screen on my tank so now worries about jumping, but the sand will be a problem. Was hoping some people had success stories keeping them in bare bottoms.

Ooooops! Sorry! I meant to say "isn't" not "is" They need hiding places but don't need to sand to bury themselves.