Goby problems

Lb71 · Apr 10, 2018

I have been having problems keeping Dracula or V. Bella gobys alive for more than 6 weeks maximum. I quarantine all my fish a minimum of 8 weeks, parameters of the q. Tank shows no NH4 have a badge plus test kits, pH around 8.1 salinity 1.25. The same circumstances always seem to happen. Fish shows no sign of problems, listlessness, fast breathing, spots, flukes scratching etc. they eat like pigs right up to the 5th or 6th week than suddenly become lethargic and die within 2 Days after. Anyone have any idea what could be causing my frustration. Also the same tank in between gobys successfully quarantined a flame wrasse, Swiss guard basslet and a copper band butterfly. Baffled
Larry

melypr1985 · Apr 10, 2018

What are you using to treat them in QT?

deedubz · Apr 10, 2018

How big are they when you get them? I've had a few of the red banded hi fins(very similar in size/appearance). The first came in right around 2" and didn't last much longer than 4-5 months. I then bought a pair from DD that were much smaller and lived about 1.5 years. I've read that the smaller goby species don't have much of a lifespan

Lb71 · Apr 10, 2018

The three gobys were all around 3 inches. Around the 2nd week I treat all fish with 2 dosages of Prazi pro .
Since none of the gobys showed any symptoms of disease nothing else was given to them.
Larry

deedubz · Apr 10, 2018

I just read something on another forum where a few people had tried them a couple of times. Similar experiences as you (and my larger hi fin)...Great one day, deceased the next. One person reported 2 years as their maximum lifespan. If they were already 3" I'm wondering if age was a factor. LA lists their max size as being 3".

deedubz · Apr 10, 2018

I don't know if I'm allowed to link to another forum, but I googled "Dracula goby care" and clicked on a thread on RC

ChadLo · Apr 10, 2018

Lb71 said:
I have been having problems keeping Dracula or V. Bella gobys alive for more than 6 weeks maximum. I quarantine all my fish a minimum of 8 weeks, parameters of the q. Tank shows no NH4 have a badge plus test kits, pH around 8.1 salinity 1.25. The same circumstances always seem to happen. Fish shows no sign of problems, listlessness, fast breathing, spots, flukes scratching etc. they eat like pigs right up to the 5th or 6th week than suddenly become lethargic and die within 2 Days after. Anyone have any idea what could be causing my frustration. Also the same tank in between gobys successfully quarantined a flame wrasse, Swiss guard basslet and a copper band butterfly. Baffled
Larry

Just throwing this out there... they sift sand all day in addition to supplemental feedings. Is it possible they started from not having the micro fauna to get from the sand between feedings?