Gobies

[rthoman]

I have been looking into getting a goby since they are small, and i have a smaller tank. Possibly a Mandarin. I have read that you need live sand for them to live. I do not have live sand, it was artificial. So what do i need to do to provide the conditions that a Mandarin would need?

 

[IndyReef]

before the entire world jumps on this, ill take a stab at this.

Maderin gobies, although very attractive fish, are VERY difficult to keep. Why? because of their diet. If you do not have a large (75 gal +) and well established tank, you will be unscuccessful in your attemp to keep one. You will find that they eat the pods off your live rock.

Most gobies prefer a live sand bed to burrow in, but live sand doesnt necessisarily mean you bought live sand. if you have little bitty critters in your sand, then it is live. ( i am sure there are many articles on this)

gobies you might want to look at IMO would be

firefish - Nemateleotris helfrichi or decora
heck there are many and a good place to see pics and choices is www.Liveaquaria.com

if they put the "expert" disclaimer on the description, they are serioius about it.

good luck