YW Goby Acting Strange (Video)

[ChrisKSB]

Hello,

My Yellow Watchman Goby is ALWAYS within an inch of his cave. Have had it since 03/18 and no issue that I can tell, other than never coming out. It doesn't eat much, but will grab bits as they float past now and then.

NOW - Left the cave yesterday morning and is hiding in the top corner of the tank and swims around erratically now and then.

Levels were mostly on point, checked Ammonia, PH, Nitrate, Nitrite, Salinity - All steady except PH is about 8, from a previous steady ~8.3 (Old Eyes...colors are tough!)

I AM having a big algae bloom...figure its just part of going thru the uglies.

Any ideas/suggestions?

 

[Fred2482]

Looks like its definitely excited about something. If I remember right these things are pigs and eat a bunch? Preferably rozen food.

How long has tank been up? What test kits are you using? Anything else in the tank? What food have you tried to feed it?

 

[ChrisKSB]

@Fred2482 - Thanks for the reply!

Tank has been up since 02/14 this year...
Using API Master saltwater test kit
Currently have CUC, 2 Clowns and a Royal Grama in tank now
Food is Hikari Marine S - Daily
PeMysis 1-2 times per week

Poor guy seems to be struggling...

 

[Fred2482]

Not a fan of API. Lots of people experience misleading readings. 2 months can be ok for cycle, adding 4 fish immediately after cycle could raise ammonia? During cycle did you monitor all the processes? Ammonia-nitrite-nitrate? Have you performed water changes? What's temperature? Sorry for so many questions, helps understanding .

 

[ChrisKSB]

Thanks @Fred2482 -
Fish were added several weeks apart from oneanother. (Except clowns were mated pair bought together)
I test and have tested pretty often since day 1 (See image below)
5 gallon water change every week since having tank - using Distilled water
Temp was 79.6 yesterday - standard for what I usually see
Just took temp, its 86. It's about 95-100 deg in this room right now.

Never too many questions - I really appreciate it!

 

[Fred2482]

Cycle looks like it should. Right now I would focus on getting that temp down, it's high and if the change happened since yesterday, it definitely could have made the goby upset.

 

[ChrisKSB]

Lid up - fan blowing on it...will monitor and report back tomorrow.
Will target feed Toby with some frozen in the AM as well...

 

[Fred2482]

Lid up - fan blowing on it...will monitor and report back tomorrow.
Will target feed Toby with some frozen in the AM as well...

Careful with the lid, in the video the goby seemed to be near the top, dont want it to jump out because its mad.....

 

[ChrisKSB]

Lid closed - just flap opened now... Thanks, that would have been terrible!

 

[Fred2482]

Any update?

 

[ROB2005]

Just for humor sake, do you think he may be seeing a reflection of himself and thinking it’s another yw goby?

 

[ChrisKSB]

Temp is down to 83 now, been floating ice bags...
Everyone else seems just fine.
I found him laying on the filter floss in the back of the tank yesterday, somehow squeezed through the return.
Now he is just sitting on top of the wavemaker and swimming around now and then. Looking a bit pale!
Placed a bunch of Mysis right next to him, he did not eat it.

It looks like his normal cave area is filled in right now, I'll dig it out a bit and see if he goes and finds it.

 

[paraletho]

I would say temp caused a reduction in dissolved oxygen which is going to be worse down low. My guess is he was near the top where there is more oxygen exchange. If you don’t have an ATO be sure and watch you salinity as more heat makes more evaporation.

 

[ChrisKSB]

OK...so I'm noticing the Royal Gramma seems to really be picking on him.
Maybe he's being bullied?

 

[35ppt]

I would say temp caused a reduction in dissolved oxygen which is going to be worse down low. My guess is he was near the top where there is more oxygen exchange. If you don’t have an ATO be sure and watch you salinity as more heat makes more evaporation.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[ChrisKSB]

Just checked salinity - 1.025

 

[ChrisKSB]

Update - He ate today and seems strong, just still sitting on top of the scrubber/magnet thing. I think he's being bullied!
Temp is back to normal...hopefully he will find his way back to the bottom and carve out his cave and get happy again....we'll see! Thanks.

 

[RSchiffer]

Any update on this? Mine started the same thing today. Now with the lights off he is just laying on the sand bed. Nothing seems to be bulling him and all tank test parameters are as normal. He has a cave with a pistol shrimp they’ve been in the tank together for about 2 months.

 

[Zionas]

They are a very peaceful, sedentary fish (but you need a lid and a tight fitting one). You should probably check to see if anything faster and more belligerent is in your tank.

I’d also caution putting a goby or blenny with a semi-aggressive or aggressive bottom dweller like a Hawkfish.