Two gobies same species

Crashjack · Jul 18, 2017

I'm wanting to keep multiples in my new tank as much as possible and am interested in adding two or more yellow watchman gobies (cryptrocentrus) or orange stripe gobies (amblyeleotris). The tank is 72"x24"x19" and has screen tops. I can't find whether or not either of these change sex. My hope was that worst case, I might end up with two males that don't change sex but hopefully the tank would be big enough to handle them both. Anybody have good luck keeping two or more of either of these species?

1.0reef · Jul 18, 2017

Occasionally you can buy pairs of them, that'd probably be better, you may have to special order them in though. I think worst case there's plenty of room so they c an distance themselves away from each other.

eatbreakfast · Jul 18, 2017

Watchman gobies change sex. Smaller individuals are more adaptable with each other.

Maritimer · Jul 18, 2017

I had gotten a very tiny yellow watchman, then found a larger grey one at the local Petco.

After QT, I dropped the grey (assumed female) into the tank with the yellow - and she hated him. They shared a 65 gallon tank well enough, as long as they were on opposite ends. He grew larger, and as he approached her size . . .

They've been pretty inseparable ever since.

~Bruce

LobsterOfJustice · Jul 18, 2017

They change sex. You should not have a problem in that size tank even if they were not to pair.

Crashjack · Jul 18, 2017

Thanks for the info! Not to push my luck but anybody keep 3? My thought was it gives me a better chance of a male and female and if two paired-up, I could add a shrimp that might pair with the third. Of course, I could also end up with three males fighting over a shrimp.

eatbreakfast · Jul 19, 2017

Crashjack said:
Thanks for the info! Not to push my luck but anybody keep 3? My thought was it gives me a better chance of a male and female and if two paired-up, I could add a shrimp that might pair with the third. Of course, I could also end up with three males fighting over a shrimp.

In your sized tank, trying a 3rg should be fine.

Crashjack · Jul 21, 2017

I'm going to give it a whirl... any problem quarantining together, provided I have at least 1 pvc elbow for each? I figure it is best to add all 3 to the display at one time, and I can run only one QT at a time.

Maritimer · Jul 21, 2017

Shouldn't be a major problem, especially if all three are from the same source. (If from different sources, you could wind up fighting the QT battle on several fronts at the same time ... not as much fun.)

I would provide more than one PVC for each fish - they'll appreciate it.

~Bruce