Jawfish and Goby compatibility

saltyphish · May 12, 2014

Ok, I am looking for some feedback or ideas for this. I am currently running a 29 gallon biocube. My stock list/plan is to have a black and white ocellaris clown fish as well as a normal orange and white one. I also plan on adding a purple or helfrichi firefish. Now here is the question Later down the road I would like to add a yellow watchman goby and a blue spotted jawfish. I know there is a compatibility concern with these 2 fish. My tank has a lot of caves all over the bottom of my live rock structure so plenty of hiding spaces. Now I am taking my stocking very slow right now as the tank is only 3 mths old. I currently only have a cuc and a clownfish. Had to take the black and white back to store cause he was not looking good. I am in no rush just mainly still in the planning stage. Has anyone had much luck with a goby and jawfish in a small tank like the biocube 29 gallon. If so what tips do you have on doing it? Which one would you add first? I am planning on a non-aggressive tank with corals down the road. Nothing is set in stone, interested in feedback on this. Thanks for any help. I'll add a pic of tank to give the visual. The pic is after I first did my rockwork 2 mths ago so little dated will add new pics when I get the chance.

Tahoe61 · May 12, 2014

Tank is too small, they will get into spats because there is no where to flee to, not enough territory.

NanaReefer · May 12, 2014

You would totally regret the jaw fish with that fine of sand! Plus it's not deep enough. Also agree with it being to small for both.

wowkingjames · May 12, 2014

Certain jawfish require colder temperature.

cpayne015 · May 12, 2014

There isn't a lot of hiding spots in only a 29 gal. You need to check all parameters if u have fish not looking good

saltyphish · May 13, 2014

Thanks for the feedback. I will definitely stick with just the goby. Also in response to cpayne015 my water parameters are perfect no issues. I pay close attention to all aspects of my tank and stick with weekly water changes. I waited 2 mths after my cycle completed before adding any fish. The 2 clownfish I added were the only fish in the tank and while the regular ocellaris did great in my tank from day 1 the black and white clownfish acted weird and had stringy white poop, which from many of the posts I have read on this site is a good sign of internal parasites. He was removed immediately and taken back to the store. Figured best use that 14 day guarantee. As of now 3 weeks later I still only have the one fish just to make sure he stays fine. Also waiting for my QT to get set up. I know the cardinal rule is to always use one. I figured since my tank was not yet stocked and both fish were together at the store I would be ok but lesson learned and will not make the same mistake twice. Qt is being set-up today! I will probably still wait another week or 2 before adding anything else. So far so good the other clownfish is eating very well and quite active. It just started hosting my power head in the tank. Thanks for the advice everyone.

saltyphish · May 13, 2014

Another question. Can you mix firefish. Specifically a helfrichi and a purple firefish. Can you even have more than one in the tank. The store has a tank with a lot of normal firefish in the same tank and do not show any aggression. I am just trying to make well educated decisions. In these matters experience counts and while my lfs tells me sure. I know they just want my money and may not necessarily provide the best advice. I am sure everyone's experience on this site will no doubt help point me in the right direction. Thanks again for added input.

Ladysaber · May 13, 2014

Firefish are darters/jumpers. They will hide if startled or if their tank mates are too aggressive. I have all firefish in my 150. The Helfrichi is my most social and is normally out with the rest of the tank.

My suggestion is to do the purple first. Helfrichis are expensive and sometimes harder to come by. I added the red and purple first.. But this is just my two cents worth

Marshall O · May 13, 2014

I would add the Helfrichi first. Purple's are supposedly the most aggressive of the Firefish. So I would get the Helfrichi established well before you add any others.

eatbreakfast · May 13, 2014

Marshall O said:
I would add the Helfrichi first. Purple's are supposedly the most aggressive of the Firefish. So I would get the Helfrichi established well before you add any others.

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