School of gobies?

Baby Ray · Dec 11, 2016

So, my dad has fallen in love with green banded gobies and he wants me to get some. I am too scared to put one in the tank but could I do a school of 3? I have a brittle star that I would get rid of before I bought them. The tank is a29 gallon mixed reef with a clown and Pygmy angle. I have a RBTA and a couple rock flower nems too. I think the gobies would know to stay away from them though.
So, could I put a school or 3 green banded gobies in my tank?
Thanks

stevo01 · Dec 11, 2016

@eatbreakfast

Lowstorm · Dec 11, 2016

I love gobies. They're sweet, passive, there's one for everyone almost.

That said, unless you get a pair in that size tank they'll fight and one of a trio will die, likely from starvation due to the two that do pair off forcing the odd one out into constant hiding.

They aren't really a schooling or shoaling fish. No gobies are. If it was me I'd contact bluezoo or divers den or another online store to see about the availability of a pair.

And welcome to the go by addiction!

If you end up liking gobies as much as I do, you may find pairs of other species to go with a pair of green banded. The blue neons, evotia, masked, etc. They all stay small and you can have all of them in your tank without putting too much strain on the bioload.

Maddlesrain · Dec 11, 2016

I'm not sure about the green banded gobies, but I have a group of four masked gobies in my reef that are generally amicable towards one another. I bought them all together as well. As mentioned above, they really aren't schooling fish though. They stake out their own little spaces and hover alone for the most part.
I think the idea of a pair would definitely give you more of your desired effect, not to mentioned, could add a cool dynamic to your aquarium!

Baby Ray · Dec 11, 2016

Thank you everyone!!

Baby Ray · Dec 11, 2016

On liveaquaria, it says they do well in groups of 3 or more

Baby Ray · Dec 11, 2016

Also, what do you think of these guys?

Lowstorm · Dec 11, 2016

I want one! Lol

I err on the safe side with groupings, hence why I advise pairs with gobies

Baby Ray · Dec 12, 2016

Lowstorm said:
I want one! Lol

I err on the safe side with groupings, hence why I advise pairs with gobies

Thank you!!
Then I will tell my dad he can only get two red banded gobies!!

Baby Ray · Dec 12, 2016

I have another question
Can several pairs of different gobies live peacefully in a 29 gallons?

Lowstorm · Dec 12, 2016

DeniseAndy · Dec 12, 2016

Depends on pairing. I would happily put a pair of say the neon and shrimp goby in the tank no problem. Could even add another pair of masked or clowns. These little guys are great!

But goby is a huge category. ( For instance I would not even put one engineer in a 29g or a diamond). So assuming you are talking about the little guys.

Baby Ray · Dec 12, 2016

DeniseAndy said:
Depends on pairing. I would happily put a pair of say the neon and shrimp goby in the tank no problem. Could even add another pair of masked or clowns. These little guys are great!

But goby is a huge category. ( For instance I would not even put one engineer in a 29g or a diamond). So assuming you are talking about the little guys.

Yes. I am talking about little guys.

Baby Ray · Dec 12, 2016

Baby Ray said:
Also, what do you think of these guys?

Has anyone ever seen these guys for sale?

DeniseAndy · Dec 12, 2016

Nope. I have wanted some of the many varieties, but I think you need to find someone that can special order at the right time of year.

Lowstorm · Dec 12, 2016

I haven't either. If I did and I had the money...

I'll make a guess that if they come on the market the price will be high for the first two years, then drop down to $60 or so, if they're common. If they stay uncommon 150+. That's what happened with the flaming prawn goby. it's not very common. When it first came to the US it's price was 300+. Now you can find them for 150 or so. I want some but my tank isn't right for them. Nano heavily macro algae tanks are. Mines a 125 gallon so only outgoing gobies for me.

Baby Ray · Dec 12, 2016

Thank you!!! I have always loved the flaming prawn gobies but I am too scared to spend that much on a tiny goby

I have always wanted a pico tank and now I have an excuse...... goby tank!!!

eatbreakfast · Dec 12, 2016

Trimma and eviota gobies will school.

Greenbanded gobies will best as a pr or kept singly.

ChiCity · Dec 12, 2016

Not necessarily.
I've bought Trimma Tevegae (stunning!) for around 30-40 bucks when they came around; generally late winter to early spring.
These aren't really high demand fish as they're more appropriate for small nano displays

Lowstorm said:
I haven't either. If I did and I had the money...

I'll make a guess that if they come on the market the price will be high for the first two years, then drop down to $60 or so, if they're common. If they stay uncommon 150+. That's what happened with the flaming prawn goby. it's not very common. When it first came to the US it's price was 300+. Now you can find them for 150 or so. I want some but my tank isn't right for them. Nano heavily macro algae tanks are. Mines a 125 gallon so only outgoing gobies for me.

Baby Ray · Dec 12, 2016

eatbreakfast said:
Trimma and eviota gobies will school.

Greenbanded gobies will best as a pr or kept singly.

So when it comes to a partially stocked 29 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump, how many gobies is too many? I am also planning on a possible Helfrichi firefish