Realistic tank size for Diamond Goby

[Tmm87]

I've got a diamond that I was keeping in my 60 cube. Perfectly happy and healthy. Recently he started burying corals, even ones that were mounted up on rocks above the sand bed. He's even ripped frag plugs that were glued to rocks off and buried them.

Last night I caught him and he's currently sumped. I've got a friend who can take him, but I'd like to keep him (just not in my main tank).

Realistically what size tank can he be kept in long term? He readily eats frozen, pellets and flake so the microfauna in the sand isn't necessarily required for a food source (yes, I realize it would still be supplemental while he's digging).

I'd love to hang on to him as he's a blast to watch but I don't want to put him in a situation where he's going to have his health compromised.

 

[ChadLo]

I've got a diamond that I was keeping in my 60 cube. Perfectly happy and healthy. Recently he started burying corals, even ones that were mounted up on rocks above the sand bed. He's even ripped frag plugs that were glued to rocks off and buried them.

Last night I caught him and he's currently sumped. I've got a friend who can take him, but I'd like to keep him (just not in my main tank).

Realistically what size tank can he be kept in long term? He readily eats frozen, pellets and flake so the microfauna in the sand isn't necessarily required for a food source (yes, I realize it would still be supplemental while he's digging).

I'd love to hang on to him as he's a blast to watch but I don't want to put him in a situation where he's going to have his health compromised.

Mine did that for awhile in a 75, then upgraded 125 as well. He did it for awhile so all I did was take a turkey baster/ coral feeder and blew them off. Gobies like to make junk piles and they like the tank/sand free from anything possible. Mine always keeps his junk pile behind my center rock in which typically consists of empty snail shells, hermit shells, the shells from the clam on a half shell and so forth. It's a normal behavior for them. Are you sure he pulled them off and they didn't just lose their bond? That's happened to me. Honestly, I'd suggest just using a turkey baster for awhile and blow them off. Mine eventually learned what he can't cover.

 

[Tmm87]

Mine did that for awhile in a 75, then upgraded 125 as well. He did it for awhile so all I did was take a turkey baster/ coral feeder and blew them off. Gobies like to make junk piles and they like the tank/sand free from anything possible. Mine always keeps his junk pile behind my center rock in which typically consists of empty snail shells, hermit shells, the shells from the clam on a half shell and so forth. It's a normal behavior for them. Are you sure he pulled them off and they didn't just lose their bond? That's happened to me. Honestly, I'd suggest just using a turkey baster for awhile and blow them off. Mine eventually learned what he can't cover.

I've been uncovering with a turkey baster for the last couple months. He's got a serious grudge against my Maxima.

As for the frag plug, I watched his grab it and thrash like a dog playing with a toy until it popped off. So partially my fault since it clearly didn't use enough glue.

I've always had larger tanks so it's never been an issue keeping them before. This guy is just overly zealous with the covering.

 

[ChadLo]

I've been uncovering with a turkey baster for the last couple months. He's got a serious grudge against my Maxima.

As for the frag plug, I watched his grab it and thrash like a dog playing with a toy until it popped off. So partially my fault since it clearly didn't use enough glue.

I've always had larger tanks so it's never been an issue keeping them before. This guy is just overly zealous with the covering.

Ok that sucks then. Try giving him a talking to! Lol idk, may be SOL on this one. I know it would suck but have you considered trading him in to your lfs for a smaller one? In the ocean, they keep a 36 sq ft area clean! Wish I could help more!

 

[Tmm87]

Ok that sucks then. Try giving him a talking to! Lol idk, may be SOL on this one. I know it would suck but have you considered trading him in to your lfs for a smaller one? In the ocean, they keep a 36 sq ft area clean! Wish I could help more!

I've got a friend who teaches a marine bio class. They have a few different tanks up and running so he would go there of anywhere.

Like I said, it was just my hope to be able to keep him as I really do like him.

 

[Jesterrace]

I've got a diamond that I was keeping in my 60 cube. Perfectly happy and healthy. Recently he started burying corals, even ones that were mounted up on rocks above the sand bed. He's even ripped frag plugs that were glued to rocks off and buried them.

Last night I caught him and he's currently sumped. I've got a friend who can take him, but I'd like to keep him (just not in my main tank).

Realistically what size tank can he be kept in long term? He readily eats frozen, pellets and flake so the microfauna in the sand isn't necessarily required for a food source (yes, I realize it would still be supplemental while he's digging).

I'd love to hang on to him as he's a blast to watch but I don't want to put him in a situation where he's going to have his health compromised.

I got tired of trying to keep the Diamond Watchman Gobies happy. I lost 2 of them in just over a year (first one in a 36 gallon and the next in my current 90 gallon) and switched to conch snails and have yet to lose a single one. They do the same job and more. Diamond Watchman Gobies can do well in a tank with a large sandbed, but I disagree with Live Aquaria's assessment that they can do well long term in a 30 gallon tank. They need more space and sand than that IMHO.