Engineer Goby

[ae87]

Recently brought home a spotted Engineer Goby. Very cool looking dude, but he’s set up shop BEHIND everything. Driving my hubs crazy because now we have a fish that is digging craters, but we can’t see him to enjoy it!

Going to have to move things around and settle the rocks after some reading, so I’m looking for suggestions on how to set up to encourage him to come to the forefront of the tank.

Are they generally a shy fish and hiding?

Any other info I may need is appreciated as well.

 

[Enavin]

They will tunnel under everything and create little alcoves they can poke out of. Mine pokes out if he notices me next to the tank ( presumably waiting to be fed ) but that's usually about the only time I ever see him out is when its time to eat.

 

[ae87]

They will tunnel under everything and create little alcoves they can poke out of. Mine pokes out if he notices me next to the tank ( presumably waiting to be fed ) but that's usually about the only time I ever see him out is when its time to eat.

...just brain storming...but I’m wondering if I push the rocks to the back of that will kinda force him to dig up front?
Any idea?

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Recently brought home a spotted Engineer Goby. Very cool looking dude, but he’s set up shop BEHIND everything. Driving my hubs crazy because now we have a fish that is digging craters, but we can’t see him to enjoy it!

Going to have to move things around and settle the rocks after some reading, so I’m looking for suggestions on how to set up to encourage him to come to the forefront of the tank.

Are they generally a shy fish and hiding?

Any other info I may need is appreciated as well.

Let him do his thing... I had mine for 2 years. He got close to 7-8” long and about 1” thick. Poor guy just died recently. Pretty sure he dug so many caverns in my sandbed under all my rock that he got smashed. He will eventually find a rock he likes and make a little home... cool to see him when you feed though he will come out for sure... Looks like an eel

 

[Enavin]

...just brain storming...but I’m wondering if I push the rocks to the back of that will kinda force him to dig up front?
Any idea?

He will just hide back there under them. Give him some time and you'll start to see him more. They can be pretty shy fish. Once he associates you with food, he will come out more often.