Is my goby dead

Michaelriccs · Oct 21, 2016

So abtwo weeks ago I got a sand sifting goby forget the type he's white with orange highlights. He was out quite a bit in the beginning and there were always mounds of sand in front of his holes. I haven't seen him in the past week or so and I'm just wondering if he died in one of his holes or if they go through spirts of hibernation? I'm cleaning the tank tomorrow, I'd rather not move the rock work but I think I'm going to, to see if I can find him. Any input is greatly appreciated, thanks

Scubabum · Oct 21, 2016

It's possible it died. I have a watchman goby that disappears every once in a while. The longest he's been gone is over a week. Hopefully the same for you. Good luck.

stevo01 · Oct 21, 2016

Diamond goby perhaps. If hes been showing himself from the start and now is suddenly hiding/disappeared there might be reason of concern. They dont hibernate, and dont know of any fish you would add to a salt tank that would offhand. Was your rock placed on the bottom glass? If there was a large rock on top of a lot of sand, and it was building a home under it. It may have been crushed or trapped. Always want to make sure your rock is on bottom if you have anything that digs sand. Other than that it could have a cave and be hiding in it for a multitude of reasons. It could have also been killed by a predator, depending what else is in your tank. A sick fish could also fall prey to corals, and anemones.

Michaelriccs · Oct 21, 2016

I have a twenty gallon nano the rock isn't on the bottom of the tank I will do that tomorrow. None of the fish are really aggressive to be honest he was the aggressor when I added him. He may be hiding in his caves because my dotty back who usually stayed in his one cave before I got the goby is switching between rocks every once in a while. I guess I'll know the answer tomorrow or Sunday

Michaelriccs · Oct 21, 2016

Well I found him. I got too curious and decided to pull up the rocks and look. With my surprise there was no fish under any of the rocks. Talking to my wife I go "I wonder if he jumped out of the tank". I had smelt fish the other day by the tank and figured it was the food cup so I threw it out and didn't smell it anymore. Any way after I said I wonder if he jumped out my wife goes I vacuumed something up today it looked like a dust bunny and then the vacuum smelt like fish. Well it was the goby (Casper) dried up in the vacuum. I guess gobys like to jump out of tanks when I took the cover off for feeding. I just don't know how I didn't see him on the floor or my dogs didn't get him. Well anyway now my tank looks like this. Sad day in reefing. Hopefully the stress doesn't kill any of my other fish.

stevo01 · Oct 21, 2016

The goby will stake out its claim. Once that territory is established the goby should become peaceful. I have a firefish that I know my goby is tired of sharing his cave with. The firefish is just too stubborn so they are still living together going on 8 months. They are a very odd couple.

stevo01 · Oct 21, 2016

Sorry for your loss bro. I watched my diamond goby carpet surf right in front on me. My fault. Accidentally pulled the plug to my light. Meant to pull the powerheads plug out. Scooped him up and got him right back in. Hes also broke water a few times. They are well known jumpers. You would think with an established safe cave they would go into it if scared. I always keep my 20 covered.

Michaelriccs · Oct 21, 2016

Yea I should've been more careful. I only thought of that because when I was acclimating him he tried to jump of of the bag. But like you said a fish that burries itself I didn't think I had anything to worry about. Not sad about the money just feel guilty somebody pulled him from the ocean and stuff him in a tank and let him die

stevo01 · Oct 21, 2016

Michaelriccs said:
Yea I should've been more careful. I only thought of that because when I was acclimating him he tried to jump of of the bag. But like you said a fish that burries itself I didn't think I had anything to worry about. Not sad about the money just feel guilty somebody pulled him from the ocean and stuff him in a tank and let him die

Well, you lost a fish but gained knowledge in the process. Its always sad to lose a fish but if you can learn something from it youll be that much better of a keeper.

eatbreakfast · Oct 22, 2016

Michaelriccs said:
Yea I should've been more careful. I only thought of that because when I was acclimating him he tried to jump of of the bag. But like you said a fish that burries itself I didn't think I had anything to worry about. Not sad about the money just feel guilty somebody pulled him from the ocean and stuff him in a tank and let him die

Any fish that is 'missile shaped' is going to be an accomplished jumper regardless of the area of the tank it occupies.