Yellow watchman goby

[JJ0321]

Picked up my yellow watchman goby Saturday. He was showing normal behavior swimming around the bottom and went under a rock. Late Sunday afternoon I helped him find my tiger pistol shrimp. They paired all had been great. This morning when I turned on my tank lights he was in the corner about halfway up the tank. After he woke up he went to the surface and was swimming around up there. His body language seemed sad not perky like he had been. His shrimp buddy is still under their rock. I did add some small hermits to help with cleaning. Is it possible he feels bullied by them? They are near the burrow and I believe some have been in it.

 

[Quietman]

They're not what I'd call a cheerful fish but they do have a great personality. Just a bit grumpy...like the old man that shoos the kids off his yard (which is me now). I don't think anything of reasonable size bullies a YWG. They are pretty tough without being aggressive. Really a wonderful fish to have.

My YWG paired right away with tiger shrimp but it took several more weeks for it to spend most of the day in the shrimp cave. Even after months it would spend some time exploring the tank every few hours.

As long as the color is still good (they can turn pale when stressed) and it's eating with no other outward signs of stress or disease I would just be patient.

 

[JJ0321]

Thanks!! Last night when I got home from work he was still out and swimming up top. I turned the lights off in the tank and he went back to the bottom. He seemed better this morning. He was back with his shrimp friend. After the lights had been on for about 30 min he was back out swimming around the tank. I turned the lights back off, checked on him again as I was leaving for work and he was easing around on the bottom but not in the burrow. He’s definitely eating and color looks good!! I’ll see what’s up with him when I get home from work!!

 

[Wyatt57]

So I had my YWG for two or three week before a got a tiger pistol shrimp. The next morning after putting pistol in tank they where together. So yesterday I saw my two clowns do a freedom of navigation trip thru the YWG and shrimp area. There is an arch where the goby likes to sit and watch and the clowns swam under the arch. As the clowns swam thru the goby went to snap at them. The goby has gone from hiding all the time to defending his turf.

 

[JJ0321]

So I had my YWG for two or three week before a got a tiger pistol shrimp. The next morning after putting pistol in tank they where together. So yesterday I saw my two clowns do a freedom of navigation trip thru the YWG and shrimp area. There is an arch where the goby likes to sit and watch and the clowns swam under the arch. As the clowns swam thru the goby went to snap at them. The goby has gone from hiding all the time to defending his turf.

Thanks for the info!! It took about 5 days before he settled in. They have paired up and living happily under a rock formation. He guards the entrance and the shrimp is constantly working! I love watching these guys!

 

[BaliReefBox]

please have a good lid...mine got thru a 5mmx20mm hole in the lid....and his body was bigger than the holes ...they are magical jumpers ime

 

[JJ0321]

Thanks for the heads up!! I may have to make some adjustments. Once he came down from hanging at the top for several days, he’s staying in front of their burrow.

 

[Alexopora]

Mines feisty and is very actively out in the open. Its funny to watch especially during feeding time as its quite the character, engorging itself with mysis while the pistol shrimp is just waiting for in the rockwork. The funny thing was I had both of them with me for the past year in two different tanks. I only just paired them a few months back as I completely forgot I had a pistol shrimp in my tanks.

 

[JJ0321]

Awesome!! We have a six line wrasse that will swim by their burrow. The goby will shoot back in so fast other times the goby will open his mouth and now up at him

 

[JJ0321]

Mines feisty and is very actively out in the open. Its funny to watch especially during feeding time as its quite the character, engorging itself with mysis while the pistol shrimp is just waiting for in the rockwork. The funny thing was I had both of them with me for the past year in two different tanks. I only just paired them a few months back as I completely forgot I had a pistol shrimp in my tanks.

Awesome pic!! Looks like they are best buds!!