Clown Gobys - Aquarium Advice

MarkW19 · 03-08-2008, 02:41 PM

I had a yellow clown goby die on me recently, possible because of stress (he had his fins nipped a bit by my magenta dottyback, I think).

But, my LFS now has some clown gobys back in stock again, so as my old one was absolutely fine for a few months (no aggression from the dottyback really), I'm going to give one another go.

My question is - I like both the yellow clown goby, and the green clown goby (with red markings). Would it be ok to add both of these, a couple of weeks apart?

10G nano, magenta dottyback and ocellaris clown, water conditions good.

Thanks

austinsdad · 03-08-2008, 03:10 PM

I wouldn't chance it in only a 10g tank. This new clown will be just that. A newcomer in limited space. I'm thinking the dottyback won't like it.

Innovator · 03-08-2008, 03:36 PM

If anything you be be better off introducing two (yellows not usually as hardy IME) at the same time so there is not a single target. Make sure you have plenty of rockwork for them to escape and lightly feeding just after introduction may take the spotlight off of the new additions.

MarkW19 · 03-08-2008, 04:00 PM

Thanks for the advice guys.

Well, my last yellow clown goby was more or less fine for a few months, then the dottyback just turned against him it would seem. Just lightly nipping his fins, but it seemed to be constantly every day over 1-2 weeks, so I guess that was enough for him

Hmm, it looks like I should add 2 at a time, or nothing then? I did read that having 2 exactly the same would mean the gobys will fight, but one of each (yellow, green) will mean they're different enough to not bother, particularly with the green being a citrous species and having the red markings too, etc?

Innovator · 03-08-2008, 04:20 PM

They are usually quite passive towards each other and do not display aggression towards conspecifics. Treat every fish as an individual (personality-wise), but for the most part they should be fine. Whether or not you should add any is a judgement call based on your understanding of your tank's inhabitants.

**Ziggy953** · 03-08-2008, 04:28 PM

They are neat little fish to watch but I think I would stick with just one since you have a few other fish in that tank.

MarkW19 · 03-08-2008, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innovator

They are usually quite passive towards each other and do not display aggression towards conspecifics. Treat every fish as an individual (personality-wise), but for the most part they should be fine. Whether or not you should add any is a judgement call based on your understanding of your tank's inhabitants.

Well, the ocellaris is fine, he just played about with my last yellow clown goby but never actually touched him. The dottyback mainly just looked inquisitively, but did actually nip his fins a bit in the last few weeks.

I really liked the fish though, lots of personality! I don't know what to do...I think you're right about adding 2 though, mainly for the dottyback. I reckon it's 2 or nothing...I did read on Live Aquaria that they can be territorial to others of the same species, that's all.

MarkW19 · 03-08-2008, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziggy953

They are neat little fish to watch but I think I would stick with just one since you have a few other fish in that tank.

Do you mean for my bioload?

Well, I have lots of liverock, and also an internal filter. I do a 25% PWC every 2 weeks, and feed just once a day...plus the tiny gobys don't expell much energy, or eat much!

Hmm...

Kurt_Nelson · 03-08-2008, 08:31 PM

Ahhh... the "just one more" syndrome!

Even though they're small, it's still one (or two) more fish in a very small tank to start with. They probably won't effect your bioload, but they will raise the stress level in the tank in my opinion. Dottybacks aren't known to be the nicest of neighbors. Can't imagine your new goby would fair any better than the last.

I agree that the clown gobies are pretty darn cute fish - what about taking the dottyback back to the LFS and getting the two gobies instead? Is that an option?

**Ziggy953** · 03-08-2008, 08:44 PM

When I had a 10g setup I only had 2 fish in the tank at any one time. I would add only one goby to an already maxed system. Kurt makes a good point can you part with the dottyback? If you can take that fish back and get two clown gobies.

03-08-2008, 02:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
MarkW19 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: UK Posts: 1,671	Clown Gobys I had a yellow clown goby die on me recently, possible because of stress (he had his fins nipped a bit by my magenta dottyback, I think). But, my LFS now has some clown gobys back in stock again, so as my old one was absolutely fine for a few months (no aggression from the dottyback really), I'm going to give one another go. My question is - I like both the yellow clown goby, and the green clown goby (with red markings). Would it be ok to add both of these, a couple of weeks apart? 10G nano, magenta dottyback and ocellaris clown, water conditions good. Thanks

03-08-2008, 03:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
austinsdad Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Clinton, Maryland Posts: 3,896 Images: 12	I wouldn't chance it in only a 10g tank. This new clown will be just that. A newcomer in limited space. I'm thinking the dottyback won't like it. __________________ -Ray- "Life may not be the party we hoped for but while we are here we might as well dance!"

03-08-2008, 04:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ziggy953 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sumerduck, Virginia Posts: 2,881 Images: 5	They are neat little fish to watch but I think I would stick with just one since you have a few other fish in that tank. __________________ Happy Reefing! *NEW 150G Pick up 6/29/08 Build will be 4th of July weekend* Visit our Article section for answers on a variety of topics. LFS, PWC, PH RO/DI what in the world? Look here! Pods, algae and more!

03-08-2008, 08:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
Ziggy953 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sumerduck, Virginia Posts: 2,881 Images: 5	When I had a 10g setup I only had 2 fish in the tank at any one time. I would add only one goby to an already maxed system. Kurt makes a good point can you part with the dottyback? If you can take that fish back and get two clown gobies. __________________ Happy Reefing! *NEW 150G Pick up 6/29/08 Build will be 4th of July weekend* Visit our Article section for answers on a variety of topics. LFS, PWC, PH RO/DI what in the world? Look here! Pods, algae and more!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-08-2008, 03:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Innovator Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 959	If anything you be be better off introducing two (yellows not usually as hardy IME) at the same time so there is not a single target. Make sure you have plenty of rockwork for them to escape and lightly feeding just after introduction may take the spotlight off of the new additions.

03-08-2008, 04:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
MarkW19 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: UK Posts: 1,671	Thanks for the advice guys. Well, my last yellow clown goby was more or less fine for a few months, then the dottyback just turned against him it would seem. Just lightly nipping his fins, but it seemed to be constantly every day over 1-2 weeks, so I guess that was enough for him Hmm, it looks like I should add 2 at a time, or nothing then? I did read that having 2 exactly the same would mean the gobys will fight, but one of each (yellow, green) will mean they're different enough to not bother, particularly with the green being a citrous species and having the red markings too, etc?

03-08-2008, 04:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Innovator Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 959	They are usually quite passive towards each other and do not display aggression towards conspecifics. Treat every fish as an individual (personality-wise), but for the most part they should be fine. Whether or not you should add any is a judgement call based on your understanding of your tank's inhabitants.

03-08-2008, 08:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
Kurt_Nelson Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: WA Posts: 1,918 Images: 28	Ahhh... the "just one more" syndrome! Even though they're small, it's still one (or two) more fish in a very small tank to start with. They probably won't effect your bioload, but they will raise the stress level in the tank in my opinion. Dottybacks aren't known to be the nicest of neighbors. Can't imagine your new goby would fair any better than the last. I agree that the clown gobies are pretty darn cute fish - what about taking the dottyback back to the LFS and getting the two gobies instead? Is that an option?