watchman goby hiding

[dede]

Got a watchman goby about 6 weeks ago with a group fish buy. He was doing fine in the smaller quarantine tank with small fish but now that he is in the DD he has taken to hiding. I though he must have died after he was visible for the first week then I couldn't find him.

Two days ago he finally made an appearance for a brief bit, I shot some pellets his way and he only ate one. Now he is back in hiding again. He looked skinnier and his fins were a bit haggard.

My concern is he is not coming out to eat at all even with me putting stuff right around his rock area. I did notice my big sailfin chasing him when he did come out.

I was going to get a pistol shrimp for him but it would need to go through quarantine. How long can the goby last if he is not eating and would the pistol make a difference.

 

[DeniseAndy]

These guys are definitely better off with their natural partner the shrimp, but sound like you may have a bully and that is not good for the fish that is more shy. Try turkey basting food into the rock directly for a while and see if that gets him some food. If he gets food, he should feel better and a shrimp would be good for him. Give him more confidence.

 

[dede]

Update, goby is doing well. He still hides in the rockwork but comes out when I feed. Planning on getting him a shrimp in the future but he seems settled for now.

 

[Katrina71]

Get him a pistol! Our pair is out all the time!

 

[4FordFamily]

I’ve never seen a sailfin beat up on a YWG but therein lies your issue. Glad it’s simmerng but keep an eye on it.

How big is your tank?

 

[OriginalUserName]

My guy goes in stages where he is super shy then more active. Try target feeding him directly with tongs and a piece of shrimp or something. Mine takes food right from the tongs but early on I would just drop it into his hole.

 

[dede]

I’ve never seen a sailfin beat up on a YWG but therein lies your issue. Glad it’s simmerng but keep an eye on it.

How big is your tank?

My tank is 180 gallons with lots of live rock and cave areas. I have not seen anyone bothering him in a while, but he keeps moving to different locations in the tank. I am not sure if this is normal behavior for these guys if they do not have a paired shrimp.

I am holding off on the shrimp for now and anything else because I am having problems with my landlord and the tank.