Watchman Goby and Peppermint Shrimp Compatability - Aquarium Advice

Vanphyre · 11-12-2006, 07:57 PM

Heya,

Last few feedings, my Goby has attacked the peppermint shrimp when the shrimp came out of the rocks to get some food. I thought for sure he was going to get him this time, but the shrimp was fast enough to go back into the rocks. The Goby actually tried several angles to get into the rocks and get him, but wasn't able to.

Is this normal behaviour? It's funny how the goby bonds with the pistol shrimp but hates the peppermint. I'm afraid one day I'll look and the peppermint will not be roaming around any longer.

Also, this Goby has gotten quite large. To take a guess he's almost 4 inches long. In a 46-gallon tank, he thinks he owns the joint. Fights with food with my clownfish all the time, but the clown is aggressive enough to stand his ground. Non-feeding times, they swim right next to each other without any fighting.

**roka64** · 11-12-2006, 08:02 PM

Hmmm, those gobys tend to be peaceful. Is it possible the shrimp is near the goby's fav spot?

Vanphyre · 11-12-2006, 10:06 PM

It was on the opposite side of the tank as where the Goby and Pistol mainly hangout. The peppermint hangs out on the right side, Goby and Pistol on the left. My goby is nuts I think. He tries to eat the spots of coralline on the glass during feeding time also. Maybe I need to get him some glasses?

I thought they were supposed to be peaceful also...

**roka64** · 11-13-2006, 09:46 AM

I have a goby and two pep shrimps, but they don't bother eachother. How long have they been in there, together?

Vanphyre · 11-13-2006, 01:21 PM

I think the Goby has been in there since July, and the Peppermint shrimp about 6 months before him.

**roka64** · 11-13-2006, 01:36 PM

My peps hang out under a rock, not even the damsels bother them. Do you have a good hiding place for him, or possibly add another one? Mine don't even come out when I feed, they hang there and wait for food to come to them.

Vanphyre · 11-13-2006, 03:02 PM

Thanks Roka for all the replies. Yea, my Peppermint has lots of places to hide. He is pretty social and comes out sometimes during feedings... I used to feed him by hand a while back. Now he hides quite often, don't see him as much. I really should get him a playmate, that's a good idea.

**roka64** · 11-13-2006, 03:03 PM

Sounds like a good idea, safety in numbers!

vsnsofadrgn · 11-16-2006, 06:37 PM

i just wanted to add that my watchman is the same way! if anybody enters "his" lil area, he gets em! the pepermint shrimp is always over there but only when he gets too close, does the goby attack... he killed my maroon clown even!

**lando** · 11-16-2006, 07:55 PM

Food will tend to bring out the "worst" in most fish. Even the most peaceful can become territorial at feeding time. The watchman goby is very good at protecting its home so if the peppermint follows food close to the goby's territory, I can see how this would happen. I do not thing the goby will actually hurt the shrimp, just being a bully. I have three in on of my tanks with a yellow watchman and they get along fine.

11-12-2006, 07:57 PM	#1
Vanphyre Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 144	Watchman Goby and Peppermint Shrimp Compatability Heya, Last few feedings, my Goby has attacked the peppermint shrimp when the shrimp came out of the rocks to get some food. I thought for sure he was going to get him this time, but the shrimp was fast enough to go back into the rocks. The Goby actually tried several angles to get into the rocks and get him, but wasn't able to. Is this normal behaviour? It's funny how the goby bonds with the pistol shrimp but hates the peppermint. I'm afraid one day I'll look and the peppermint will not be roaming around any longer. Also, this Goby has gotten quite large. To take a guess he's almost 4 inches long. In a 46-gallon tank, he thinks he owns the joint. Fights with food with my clownfish all the time, but the clown is aggressive enough to stand his ground. Non-feeding times, they swim right next to each other without any fighting. __________________ 46 Gallon Bow Front Saltwater w/ 36" T5 Nova Extreme Lighting 2" Sandbed + 60lbs Live Rock AquaC Remora Pro / Mag3 Pump Skimmer 2 Maxi-Jet 1200's RO/DI Water Changes 10% a week

11-12-2006, 08:02 PM	#2
roka64 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 10,858 Images: 12	Hmmm, those gobys tend to be peaceful. Is it possible the shrimp is near the goby's fav spot? __________________ Age is relative, you are only as old as you act....of course, this works in reverse.... Questions loved, heeded advice greatly appreciated! Vote for AA Good reading about: Nitrogen Cycle Fishless Cycling Need more help? Articles Acronym List --Scott

11-12-2006, 10:06 PM	#3
Vanphyre Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 144	It was on the opposite side of the tank as where the Goby and Pistol mainly hangout. The peppermint hangs out on the right side, Goby and Pistol on the left. My goby is nuts I think. He tries to eat the spots of coralline on the glass during feeding time also. Maybe I need to get him some glasses? I thought they were supposed to be peaceful also... __________________ 46 Gallon Bow Front Saltwater w/ 36" T5 Nova Extreme Lighting 2" Sandbed + 60lbs Live Rock AquaC Remora Pro / Mag3 Pump Skimmer 2 Maxi-Jet 1200's RO/DI Water Changes 10% a week

11-13-2006, 09:46 AM	#4
roka64 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 10,858 Images: 12	I have a goby and two pep shrimps, but they don't bother eachother. How long have they been in there, together? __________________ Age is relative, you are only as old as you act....of course, this works in reverse.... Questions loved, heeded advice greatly appreciated! Vote for AA Good reading about: Nitrogen Cycle Fishless Cycling Need more help? Articles Acronym List --Scott

11-13-2006, 01:21 PM	#5
Vanphyre Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 144	I think the Goby has been in there since July, and the Peppermint shrimp about 6 months before him. __________________ 46 Gallon Bow Front Saltwater w/ 36" T5 Nova Extreme Lighting 2" Sandbed + 60lbs Live Rock AquaC Remora Pro / Mag3 Pump Skimmer 2 Maxi-Jet 1200's RO/DI Water Changes 10% a week

11-13-2006, 01:36 PM	#6
roka64 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 10,858 Images: 12	My peps hang out under a rock, not even the damsels bother them. Do you have a good hiding place for him, or possibly add another one? Mine don't even come out when I feed, they hang there and wait for food to come to them. __________________ Age is relative, you are only as old as you act....of course, this works in reverse.... Questions loved, heeded advice greatly appreciated! Vote for AA Good reading about: Nitrogen Cycle Fishless Cycling Need more help? Articles Acronym List --Scott

11-13-2006, 03:02 PM	#7
Vanphyre Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 144	Thanks Roka for all the replies. Yea, my Peppermint has lots of places to hide. He is pretty social and comes out sometimes during feedings... I used to feed him by hand a while back. Now he hides quite often, don't see him as much. I really should get him a playmate, that's a good idea. __________________ 46 Gallon Bow Front Saltwater w/ 36" T5 Nova Extreme Lighting 2" Sandbed + 60lbs Live Rock AquaC Remora Pro / Mag3 Pump Skimmer 2 Maxi-Jet 1200's RO/DI Water Changes 10% a week

11-13-2006, 03:03 PM	#8
roka64 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 10,858 Images: 12	Sounds like a good idea, safety in numbers! __________________ Age is relative, you are only as old as you act....of course, this works in reverse.... Questions loved, heeded advice greatly appreciated! Vote for AA Good reading about: Nitrogen Cycle Fishless Cycling Need more help? Articles Acronym List --Scott

11-16-2006, 06:37 PM	#9
vsnsofadrgn Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 975 Images: 9	i just wanted to add that my watchman is the same way! if anybody enters "his" lil area, he gets em! the pepermint shrimp is always over there but only when he gets too close, does the goby attack... he killed my maroon clown even! __________________ visions of a dragon hope dies last

11-16-2006, 07:55 PM	#10
lando Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Savage, MN Posts: 7,652 Images: 46	Food will tend to bring out the "worst" in most fish. Even the most peaceful can become territorial at feeding time. The watchman goby is very good at protecting its home so if the peppermint follows food close to the goby's territory, I can see how this would happen. I do not thing the goby will actually hurt the shrimp, just being a bully. I have three in on of my tanks with a yellow watchman and they get along fine. __________________ Some people are like slinkies...they serve no real purpose yet can still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs! Have a great day! Brian

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