Pairing Yellow Watchman Gobies

[gunflintcamper]

So I had a well established YWG that has turned gray well over a year ago who is paired with a Candycane pistol. After upgrading the tank they were in, I decided to attempt to pair a VERY yellow but not tiny YWG with them. New YWG immediately backed into the burrows with the shrimp. Shrimp did not care. Old gray YWG cared very much. After a few days of new YWG getting shredded fins and much research I decided to add a second Candycane pistol in hopes that it would at least cause a distraction and at worst live on its own side of the tank with one of the YWG.

The shrimps are *i think* are in two separate ends of the tank however it’s hard to be sure. There’s a disturbance in the sand but it hasn’t come out. Which they usually don’t without a goby.

The two YWG are still arguing over the other side of the tank. It’s been 3 days and the big gray is relentless while the new yellow refuses to leave the area and is more scuffed up today.

Opinions? How long do I let them hash it out when the new one seems to be just taking it without leaving??

I did try to catch the older one and I’d move it to the big tank and get it a Tiger pistol but it’s elusive. I can easily catch the new one but I don’t think it’s tough enough for the fish in the bigger tank. It’s proven to be a wimp.

If you think it’s time to split them, would a bottle trap maybe work?

 

[i cant think]

So I had a well established YWG that has turned gray well over a year ago who is paired with a Candycane pistol. After upgrading the tank they were in, I decided to attempt to pair a VERY yellow but not tiny YWG with them. New YWG immediately backed into the burrows with the shrimp. Shrimp did not care. Old gray YWG cared very much. After a few days of new YWG getting shredded fins and much research I decided to add a second Candycane pistol in hopes that it would at least cause a distraction and at worst live on its own side of the tank with one of the YWG.

The shrimps are *i think* are in two separate ends of the tank however it’s hard to be sure. There’s a disturbance in the sand but it hasn’t come out. Which they usually don’t without a goby.

The two YWG are still arguing over the other side of the tank. It’s been 3 days and the big gray is relentless while the new yellow refuses to leave the area and is more scuffed up today.

Opinions? How long do I let them hash it out when the new one seems to be just taking it without leaving??

I did try to catch the older one and I’d move it to the big tank and get it a Tiger pistol but it’s elusive. I can easily catch the new one but I don’t think it’s tough enough for the fish in the bigger tank. It’s proven to be a wimp.

If you think it’s time to split them, would a bottle trap maybe work?

I would remove the new yellow, if it’s not small it’s likely to be a male. In which case you’ll end up with 2 males that will fight to the death.
And the two pistols are also likely to fight eachother if they make contact. Generally I stick to 1 Pistol per 3-4 feet of tank and when pairing you always want one that is either juvenile or much smaller than the original specimen.

 

[gunflintcamper]

I would remove the new yellow, if it’s not small it’s likely to be a male. In which case you’ll end up with 2 males that will fight to the death.
And the two pistols are also likely to fight eachother if they make contact. Generally I stick to 1 Pistol per 3-4 feet of tank and when pairing you always want one that is either juvenile or much smaller than the original specimen.

Really? Everything I’ve read suggested that if they are gray they are female and adding a yellow would be the best bet...unfortunately there really is no for sure article with proof anywhere. Ugh.

Either way, I have a place to move the large one, but not the smaller one so I guess I’ll just have to try the trap.

 

[i cant think]

Really? Everything I’ve read suggested that if they are gray they are female and adding a yellow would be the best bet...unfortunately there really is no for sure article with proof anywhere. Ugh.

Either way, I have a place to move the large one, but not the smaller one so I guess I’ll just have to try the trap.

That is now outdated information, there are breeding pairs of both grey and yellow variants of Watchman Goby. I personally believe this is a species that needs to be researched into more as we may find this is due to regional variants and juveniles look the same. There are many variants of the same species of fish that we may find are different species or may be worthy of the rare subspecies title.

 

[gunflintcamper]

That is now outdated information, there are breeding pairs of both grey and yellow variants of Watchman Goby. I personally believe this is a species that needs to be researched into more as we may find this is due to regional variants and juveniles look the same. There are many variants of the same species of fish that we may find are different species or may be worthy of the rare subspecies title.

I believe you’re right about that!

So basically I should rename my gray some designer name and charge $650. Haha

Ok the little yellow is moving to our daughters house. To live alone. And we shall find he/she/they it’s own pistol.

Thanks for taking the time to discuss!!

 

[Zionas]

I believe they are protogynous hermaphrodites, but if the new one’s of a similar size / same size as the original one, there’s a good chance both might already be male.

 

[i cant think]

I believe they are protogynous hermaphrodites, but if the new one’s of a similar size / same size as the original one, there’s a good chance both might already be male.

Gobies are Protogynous hermaphrodites but the only way to be 100% sure you have a female is through having a juvenile.

I believe you’re right about that!

So basically I should rename my gray some designer name and charge $650. Haha

Ok the little yellow is moving to our daughters house. To live alone. And we shall find he/she/they it’s own pistol.

Thanks for taking the time to discuss!!

I have seen LFSs over here taking grey watchman gobies and charging just a bit more for them, it’s surprising how much LFSs can get away with if given the chance now.
No worries! I love helping people, besides if you have the knowledge why keep it to yourself? It’s just pointless.