Goby?

[Ryan1221]

I am new to saltwater and I am wondering if you can mix gobies without problems?

My set up is:
Fluval Osaka 260L (70g)
100 lbs of live sand
70 lbs of live rock
Fluval 406 canister filter (in process of getting a sump)
2 hydro koralia 1400 powerheads

Current livestock:
2 true perculas
1 blue/green chromis
1 lawnmower blenny
2 skunk cleaner shrimp
4 turbo snails
4 electric blue hermit crabs

I want to add some sort of shrimp with a pistol shrimp. Would this work?
Would I be able to add any other gobies? Or would they fight?

Liveaquaria.com has them broken down into 3 categories
- sand sifter gobies
- shrimp gobies
- small gobies

Would I be able to add one goby from the shrimp goby section and one from sand shifting without having problems?

Help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ritter6788]

Fish of similar size and type will fight. Tank size and territory establishment come into play too. It's always risky to add fish of similar type, shape, size but in some cases it can be done. The best route is to pick out one you like from the category and go with that one only.

 

[Ryan1221]

So would one shrimp goby with a pistol shrimp be fine to go along with what I have in the tank?

 

[Kano]

You should be okay with mixing them. The shrimp goby will have his territory that he'll probably chase the sand sifting goby (or any fish) away but not do any damage. I'd add whatever gobies you want at the same time just in case and keep an eye on them.

 

[Ryan1221]

Would the lawnmower blenny bother them at all?

 

[Kano]

The blenny might have an issue with a goby because of the similar body shape. You won't know until you try. My tailspot blenny and 6 line got into a few fights but didn't do damage and ignore each other now. If you see constant fighting or/and fin/body damage get one of them out asap.

 

[Ryan1221]

Is it just body shape or color? What if I got one that was a lot different in color?

 

[Kano]

Just depends on the fish. Your lawnmower might be more passive. My tailspot was aggressive towards a fish that doesn't really look like him. Are there any specific gobies you're currently considering?

 

[Ryan1221]

Orange spotted goby
Orange stripe prawn goby
Yellow watchman goby
Pink spotted watchman goby

Those are the ones I am looking at to pair with a pistol shrimp.

 

[Kano]

I wouldn't favor any of those in regards as having less of a chance of fighting. Just pick what you like the most and watch to see if there is any aggression.

 

[rajkovich207]

My lawn mower blenny was very mean to my purple firefish, it was a small nano but I would watch any Toby you introduce carefully just to be safe.

 

[Ryan1221]

I decided that I am going to get a wheelers goby with a candy cane pistol shrimp

 

[skinz78]

Sweet, post some pic's when you get them!