Goby in hiding

[Dreadnaught]

I added a Orange Stripe Prawn Goby a couple weeks ago. He fed ok through a 6 week QT & medication process. He went straight into hiding when added and I found him today. I tried using mysis to lure him out... Even put some into his cave. I'll try to keep doing this. Any other recommendations?

 

[4FordFamily]

IME they will do what they want. Anything you do to try to change this behavior is likely to reinforce it. In time they typically become bolder. Whether that time is days, months, or even years remains to be seen.

Hopefully eventually like most fish he learns to associate you with food and loses more of the fear of you.

However, depending on the tankmates he may feel safer in hiding indefinitely.

 

[reeferfoxx]

He needs a pistol shrimp like a Randalls pistol shrimp. They will form a symbiotic bond and help each other out. He will more likely to be seen as well.

 

[4FordFamily]

He needs a pistol shrimp like a Randalls pistol shrimp. They will form a symbiotic bond and help each other out. He will more likely to be seen as well.

Unless the pistol shrimp hides out of sight as mine did and I didn't see my watchman for over a year!

 

[reeferfoxx]

Unless the pistol shrimp hides out of sight as mine did and I didn't see my watchman for over a year!

Then there is that! lol

My shrimp and goby are active. *shrugs*

 

[eatbreakfast]

What other fish are in the tank?

Large, active fish can be intimidating for a small fish.

However, if there aren't many fish out in the open, this is a signal that there is a predator near, which will keep it hiding.

They also aren't the boldest fish in the world, but adding a pistol can help.

 

[Dreadnaught]

I'm going to try the shrimp and keep trying to feed with Julian's thing.

My tank is only a few months old and pretty empty of fish. 225G with 6 fish including this guy. Other fish are Juvenile Achilles Tang, M Foxface, cleaner wrasse, and pair of clowns.

https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php...m-new-build-with-basement-"fish-room".222778/

 

[Dreadnaught]

Positive sign I saw him poke his head out and eat some flake today.

 

[bubbaque]

I added a yasha goby a couple of months ago and I had the same experience, would just hide all the time. About a month and half after I had him he is out all the time, not actively swimming around the tank but you can see his whole body out of his whole and no longer darts back in when he sees me. I can pretty much stick my finger on the glass next to him and he doesn't even get scared any longer. Just give your goby some time.