Where's my Goby??, 8/28/08
Hope all is well with you.
<Yes, thanks.>
Thanks for taking my ??
<Welcome>
I have a 75 gal reef tank with a Yellow Watchman Goby and his cohort, a pistol shrimp. I have grown accustom to seeing him daily or every other day during the evening feeding. Goby often comes out at these times and feeds or waits for me to drop some pellets to him...then on his way he goes. Anyway, I have not seen him since Saturday (he is not in the overflow or sump either).
<Have you checked the carpet?>
Could this be considered normal for prawn gobies?
<Could be.>
Or, should I be concerned that he has "kicked the bucket".
<Also possible.>
His tankmates include a Ocellaris pair, two blue-green chromis, Kole Tang, three Pajama Cardinalfish, serpent star, sand sifting starfish, two emerald crabs, two cleaning shrimp, several hermits, and various snails.
<If he did die his carcass would be quickly consumed by his tankmates.>
I also have hardy, beginner corals...Zoanthids, mushrooms, colt coral, finger leather, candy cane, and open brain. ---77 F, 1.025 SPG, 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite, 0 Nitrate---
Thanks for your time,
-Phil
<Could be either way, check around the tank to see if he jumped. Otherwise time will tell.>
<Chris>

How does one encourage a pistol shrimp/goby to move to a new location? + other?s
Hello,
>>Hi, Travis.
>I started my first reef tank about six weeks ago.  The tank is a thirteen gallon with about fifteen pounds of live rock, some corals, a tube worm, blue legged hermits, and Astrea snails.  The only other inhabitants are a yellow watchman goby and pistol shrimp pair.  Tank has about 60 watts of light, and a protein skimmer that came with the tank.  The tank and skimmer were made by CPR.  I feed my tube worm about a grain of rice worth of Black Powder around once a week.  Is the Black Powder a sufficient food for the worm?  Should I feed the worm more often? 
>>I like to see a variety of foods offered, and if you can see your way clear a culture of rotifers offered to all the filter feeders would be helpful, same thing with plankton in general.  Some also really appreciate getting the "juice" that's exuded from foods such as squid, clams, shrimp, and fish.  Also, you would want to keep an eye on both alkalinity (buffering capacity of the water) as well as your calcium levels.  If you feed but have insufficient biomineral availability you might not see the growth you should.
>>As for frequency of feedings, I would like to see them feed a bit more frequently--remember, in nature they're feeding daily.
>Also, much of the bottom of my tank is covered with live rock except for a small patch of sand (approximately 6"/6").  Unfortunately, my shrimp and goby have decided to set up home behind the live rock where I cannot see them.  Sometimes the goby peeks around the rock and the shrimp snaps, so I know they are there.  How can I encourage them to take up residence in the open spot so that I can see them?
>>This last problem is a much more difficult issue, as the old saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, eh?  The only thing I can offer you is to use a combination of feeding ONLY in a certain area, and possibly recreating the structure that they're so fond of in a more easily viewable area.  Otherwise strategically placed mirrors have been my own solution, though it's never really bothered me that I can't see some things.  I'm just happy to know that they're there and thriving.
>>I would also like to encourage you to consider the addition in the future of a refugium.  The development of a 'fuge with a deep sand bed would be of so much benefit you would end up being quite happy with the time and investment.  Good luck!  Marina
Thank you very much for your help.  Travis.

Pistol shrimp and goby 3/30/03
I started my first reef tank about six weeks ago.  The tank is a thirteen gallon with about fifteen pounds of live rock, some corals, a tube worm, blue legged hermits, and Astrea snails.  The only other inhabitants are a yellow watchman goby and pistol shrimp pair. How does one encourage a pistol shrimp/goby to move to a new location?
<you may encourage the move by providing a tube (plastic pipe) buried in the sand under a rock. They often find this hospitable. Best regards, Anthony>

Bob the Yellow Watchman
I've had Bob (my yellow watchman goby) for about 3 years. All the sudden he has turned very pale and the brownish stripes around his body are darker - he doesn't act too sick and no other fish appear to be sick. Any other ideas?  Thanks.
<These colors you are seeing are due to stress - the cause of the stress is what you need to determine.  First and foremost, check your water parameters, most importantly pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and specific gravity/salinity.  If any of those are amiss, fix with water changes.  Another thing to consider is the shy nature of this species.  They really do need sufficient hiding spaces that aren't used by other fish, where they can hole up and feel snug and safe.  If your watchman doesn't have that, it might be the source of his stress.  -Sabrina>

- Shrimp/Goby Pairing -
I recently got these [Yellow Watchman Goby and Red Pistol Shrimp] and they don't seem to be pairing up... maybe the goby just doesn't know where the pistol has made his home at.  But I have read the FAQ's and didn't read much about the red pistol shrimp type.. but that most watchman will pair up with these kind.... Do you have any idea what might be taking so long... <Need to ask the Goby... no exact science here, so no exact answers.> Also I haven't noticed the pistol coming out of his home, does he just come out at night. <Yes, mostly nocturnal without the help of the Goby.>
Thanks:
-Roger
<Cheers, J -- >

Not so Yellow watchman goby
Hello.  I recently purchased a yellow watchman goby to add into my 55 salt tank.  When he was added into the tank, his coloration remained yellow, but over the past couple of days he has turned a white color with brown stripes.  He is still eating and is active, he has found a place under our live rock to hide out, and is showing no signs of stress.  His only other tank mates are 3 damsels, a scooter blenny, a clown goby, emerald crabs, hermit crabs, snails, and a sand sifting star.  Is this coloration a warning to the other tank mates or something else I should be worried about.  I have tested the water and there is no ammonia, nitrite, and only 10 nitrate.  Temp in the tank is 80.  Water changes are done monthly, filtration is a Fluval 404 canister, penguin 330, and an emperor 280.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks-Deanna  <May be due to just settling in, but this species should not lose this much color in such a short period of time, though do so with sex change.... Please do re-write if this fish doesn't color up within a week or so. Bob Fenner>

Missing watchman goby
Date: Wed, 09 Feb 2005
Hi, first off I love your site. I am quite worried, I recently purchased a yellow watchman goby. Unfortunately my LFS did not have any pistol shrimp in stock to pair up with it. 
<They don't always pair up. Certain gobies will only associate with certain shrimp, and that's if the shrimp allows him.> Anyways, the first couple of days went great, he ate right away and what not. Then suddenly he disappeared, nowhere to be found. I assume he might have died, but I can't even find a body! Should I look for him under rocks or what? It's only a 12 gallon tank so I know that wouldn't be too hard. Any advice on this situation would be greatly appreciated. 
<Chris, watchman gobies live very secluded lives to begin with. I rarely see mine. Don't panic yet, they are a hardy fish and he should show up again. James (Salty Dog)>

Missing watchman goby
Okay so it has been almost a week now and I still can't find him. It's not exactly a large tank either, there isn't that many hiding spots for a two inch long yellow watchmen. Before he disappeared, he would normally show himself for feeding, but I don't see him during feeding either. It wouldn't bother me so much if he died, but the fact that I can't even find his body is letting keep faith. Is it possible that my crabs would eat his carcass?
<Yes, very possible> 
(I do have a couple of opportunistic crabs) Should I do a small search by taking out some of the rock temporarily?
<Yes, I would. I really don't like anything dead in my tank, turns into organic waste, ph reduction.> 
There is another catch to the story, see I want to buy the prawn/shrimp that goes with this guy,
<I would say your odds are 50% that any watchman and pistol shrimp will pair up. I myself have a yellow watchman and pistol shrimp combo and since about one month, I don't think they have ever saw each other.> 
but I definitely don't want to buy him and then find out they never paired since the watchmen is dead...Anyways any advice would be appreciated. 
<Good luck. James (Salty Dog)> 

Watchman in filter system
Hi, I found my watchman, he's in the filtration system, well behind the tank.  I have no clue how he got there. I took out all the various filters. I have a 12g Nanocube if you are familiar with the brand. I have no net that small and I don't believe any exist that small, the part he's in is can fit about a fist, since my hand will fit. He's still alive but I have no idea how to get him out, everything in my tank is out as well. Please help!! 
<Well Chris, you could make a net out of a coat hanger small enough to get in there. Funny, they are not known to be jumpers. Other than that I don't know what to tell you since the filter part is not removable. If there is a will, there is a way. Good luck. James (Salty Dog)> 

Emergency
Thanks for your advice, I ended up draining the tank to about 2 inches of water and grabbing him with my hand, was not easy but worked in the end. He is now happy and alive swimming freely (weird behaviour of a watchman) in my aquarium, must have been all that confinement, loves the freedom. Anyways thanks a lot for all your advice. 
<Glad you watchman is happy now. James (Salty Dog)>

Sick orange watchman goby? No
Hi,
I don't know if my Orange Watchman goby is sick. I just noticed his behavior is weird. He just sits under a rock and doesn't move around all that much. He used to be active digging holes, etc. but now he just sits under this rock and when I feed the fish he does go out and grab food. Today I saw that he grabbed some food and went back under his rock and it almost looked like some of the food went through his gills/sifter part of his body. Is there anything I should do?
<Not abnormal... this is how this species sieves food from substrate>
This has been going on for a few days and I just been observing. Should I worry?
<No>
What do you think it is? I added some new live rock and a Niger triggerfish to the tank maybe 2 days ago, but it seems to go back further than when I added the new stuff. Thanks, Kristofer
<Keep your eye on the trigger... the Goby is a much more peaceful, passive animal... Bob Fenner>

Goby and Pistol Shrimp Take Off Together
WWM Crew,
I have a 65 gallon reef tank that is 24" high with a built in overflow. No live rock or coral come within several inches of the overflow grates. Among my tank's inhabitants include a 1 1/2" watchman goby and 3/4" pistol shrimp who, until very recently shared the same "burrow" together in a deep sand bed under some live rock. 
<They do this>
A few days ago, I found my goby and pistol shrimp in a prefilter bag in the sump below my tank. I understand how it's possible for the goby to have gotten down there (as he can swim, albeit not very well) but how in the world did his friend end up with him?
<Scooted over the edge evidently>
It's almost as if the shrimp would have had to clamp onto a fin as they made there two foot ascent towards the overflow. 
<Some Alpheids do maintain close physical contact... mostly through larger pair of "antennae">
(The overflow is also protected by several jets that blast enough current to only allow the top 1/2 inch of water to pass into the overflow. Any animals going near the overflow would be forced back to the bottom of the tank.) Can the goby carry the shrimp in his mouth. (I know the last question sounds ridiculous.) I am really at a loss here. Thanks.
Jack
<Neat proposition/speculation... Bob Fenner>  

Yellow Watchman Goby
Hello Bob,
We purchased a YWG last month and he or she has established a "garage" at the base of our live rock in an L shaped pattern to patrol the front and side of our 65 gallon tank. Joe, as it is named, likes to hide most of the time which I know is normal and there are the unmistakable grooves in the sand where digging has taken place. 
This fish has been afraid for the most part of our six lined wrasse, cherub angel, blue-green Chromis and fire fish goby. However, after thoroughly cleaning all of the glass in the tank Joe has been out of his/her garage much more recently and it seems that he/she keeps looking into the glass if admiring his/her beauty. I was just wondering if this is settling in behavior or is he/she looking at the mirror image as another Goby?
Any thoughts?
<I do like the reference to Frank Zappa... his actual garage isn't far from us, my parents place here in San Diego. All sounds well with your goby... Not to worry here. Bob Fenner>

Are Pink Spotted Watchman Gobies aka Pink Spotted Shrimp Gobies  sand sifters???? 8/13/05
<To some extent, yes... they make their "living" from sifting some sand... though not as much as other genera (e.g. Valenciennea) of gobies. Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/valenciennea.htm
and linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Shy Yashia Goby... they are  9/19/05
Hi,
<Hello Tom>
I received a Yashia Goby and Randall's Pistol Shrimp on August 8, but the fish died the next day.  On August 15, I received a new fish, and it and the shrimp have been doing OK so far (4+ weeks).
The fish and shrimp are in a quarantine tank, with a handful of mixed size coral sand and a PVC pipe structure made of small diameter short pieces connected with a few elbows and tees.  The fish and shrimp live in this pipe structure. The shrimp has arranged the coral sand to block one visible entrance to the pipe structure, and to landscape the other visible entrance.  He seems to keep this second entrance blocked most of the time, opening it briefly about once a day in the evening (that I have been able to observe).  When I see the Goby with his head out of this entrance (and usually also see the shrimp working with his coral sand) I put in a little food (usually dry flakes since they float around the tank better).  The Goby will eat a flake or two if it drifts close enough (4-5 inches) from his entrance.  But the slightest sudden motion in the room will send the Goby back into the pipe structure for a while.
<Normal>
My question is whether it is normal for this kind of fish/shrimp pair to be so shy. Will they come out more after while?
<Yes...>
  If they go into a display tank with lots of hiding places, will I never see them again?  Or will they be more comfortable in such a tank and come out more often?
<The latter>
I could put them into a 75 gallon that has live rock and 2 clownfish, or into a 20 gallon with nothing but live rock (and possibly a few VERY small crabs and pistol shrimps that hitchhiked in on the live rock).  Which would be better?
<The first>
Any thoughts?
<Few and dwindling...>
Thanks,
Tom
<I would cut short these animals quarantine, match their water with your larger tank over a few days time... by moving, supplanting the QT water with its... and translocate them. Bob Fenner>

Yellow Watchman goby changed color  12/15/05
Your web site is the best and extremely helpful but so far I haven't found any specific information about Goby's changing color. I have a 135-gal tank. I started off with a couple snails, hermit crabs and a Tiger Pistol Shrimp and Yellow Watchman Goby. They had the tank all to themselves for about a month before I added several green Chromis out of Q.T. At first the Goby stood outside his den and "yelled" at the Chromis swimming by and then his color changed to white with dark bands.
<Good descriptions>
The color change certainly seemed stress related. He looked ticked off. The Aquarium shop stated that it was typical and his color should return to normal within a few days.
<With the removal of the stressor/s...>
It's been 3 weeks now! He is eating fine and appears to be in overall good health. All tests with the tank are fine. It's driving me nuts. Then to add to my "stress", I come across a photo of two yellow watchman goby's. And my first reaction was  maybe it's a sex thing? And maybe he's not a he but a she?
<Possibly>
Any ideas? My goby looked like the one on the right and now looks like the one on the left of the picture.
<Is possibly maturing... but the "mouthing" is indicative of a behavioral component at play here. If there was a way to remove/separate the damsel and see what happens, I would do this. Bob Fenner>

Yashia shrimp goby stuck in refugium   1/21/06
Well I finally got my 30g refugium set up on my 220g tank this week. I put in a 5in sand bed, Gracilaria, Chaetomorpha, and about 5 portions of pods I bought from florida Pets.com.  Everything looks great and seems to be doing good. I see a lot of pod activity, which is my main goal for this tank. I have a lot planktivores in my main (Anthias, fairies wrasses, etc.) and I wanted to keep a suitable amount of zooplankton to feed them. Anyway, my refugium is gravity fed by one of the two overflow outlets on my hang-on overflow box. The other goes to the main sump and skimmer, the refugium also empties into the sump. The first night I set up my refugium I noticed my Yashia Shrimp Goby had not only got caught in the overflow box but made a new home in live rock rubble I set up for my pods in the refugium. I then proceeded to catch him and return him to the main tank. All was fine for a couple days, but now its in there again and loving all the new forage. I'm not only surprised he ventured into the overflow again, I'm wondering how he fit through the grid teeth and how he was so lucky to once again make it down the right outlet into the refugium. Now I know he's obviously more happy in the refugium, but I also know from your book that its no place for him. I guess my question is how much damage can he do to my pending pod population?
<Have to wait/see>
and what can i do to make him stay in the main?
<Better screening>
I have 250lbs of live rock and a live sand. There's no overly aggressive predators in the tank, so I'm wondering why it keeps venturing down the overflow. Would setting up a pile of rubble in the main tank make it more appealing?
Thanks
Brandon  
<Likely "jumping" in response to the water movement. Bob Fenner>

Cryptocentrus leptocephalus - Pink Spotted Watchman (Shrimp) Goby Question  - 03/11/2006
Hi - First off I want to thank you for all the great reading information.
I've learned more in 2 days of reading your posts then I would have learned in a month from any other site I've seen!  I'm not exactly sure how you have your site setup though when it comes to questions so if I should go through another method to request help please let me know.
<Mmm, nope. This is it>
  I've researched what I can to find the species names (hoping it would make it easier)
<Appreciate this>
I've stumbled into your site while looking for information on worms and my god I never thought there would ever be so much information on worms.  (I've recently discovered bristle worms and two other species that I'm trying to identify).  But that's not exactly what has prompted me to look for some help or advice.  Actually it's about my goby that I've had for many years 3-4 now.  From the very setup of my 90 gallon tank he has been by my side very healthy, active and always "around" sifting and basically doing his thing.  The past week or two he's suddenly started to get sluggish and today he's staying in his shell that he claimed from the day he landed (ha ha) into my tank.  Actually he's been staying in it more and more as each day has passed.  I don't want to start going crazy with anything (fearing something has gone astray with my tank) so I've been trying to find something to determine if it's possible if he's just getting old now.  One other important note is that I have another fish a Royal Gramma Basslet (Gramma loreto) that has also become slow, but he only started acting this way when he started getting attacked by my Neon Dottyback (Pseudochromis aldabraensis).  Originally they got along fine for 5 months then suddenly they started battling over territory.
<Very common twixt these species, families... similarly shaped, resource using...>
I also have a wide variety of fish from an angel - clown - tang - fire shrimp - clown goby - Hawkfish -
<Surprised the Hawk hasn't consumed the shrimp...>
others mentioned above and maybe one or two I'm forgetting. (trying to give a little more info on the situation in the tank).  With all this in consideration should I be worried about the sudden change in the goby?
<Such behavioral changes/observations are always a source of concern, input>
Is it that he's nearing his natural life span?  Or do you think I might have some unknown problem in my tank that I have yet to determine?
<Best to watch all livestock, keep monitoring water quality... When, where in doubt, water changes, the use/replacement of chemical filtrants, abatement of supplementation are good considerations. Bob Fenner>
Thank you in advance
Anthony

Watchman Goby/Acclimation  - 05/22/2006
Hello Crew,
<Good morning>
I just purchased a fine looking Watchman Goby yesterday from a reputable LFS, and after an acclimation period, placed him in my QT.
The QT has some base rock and I put some aragonite on the bottom to ease the transition for the goby.
I have tried feeding him a couple of times with brine shrimp but he won't eat. He stays hidden 95% of the time. I know that's how they are but my concern is his lack of eating and not swimming out from his hiding place at all since I've brought him home.
My QT ammonia level is 0.
Is this lack of eating and extreme shyness "normal" for a newly purchased watchman goby male?
<Not abnormal at all.  There are times when I won't see mine for a week.  Give it some time,
all should be well.  Do read FAQ's here on goby feeding.  http://www.wetwebmedia.com/gobyfdgfaqs.htm
James (Salty Dog)>

Watchman Goby ... beh.   4/30/06
Hi. My parents have a 60 gallon salt water tank. For the past 2 years they have had a yellow watchman goby. Just recently they bought three new fish. A Yellow Fin Black Angel, a Flame Hawk, and a Flame Tailed Flag fish.
<Too much, too soon>
There are now five fish in the tank. Nothing has changed in the Gobi's behavior, however, it's coloring is changing drastically. It now appears to be getting black markings. The markings appear to be zebra type stripes on his body and black fringing around it's fins and eyes. As mentioned before none of the Gobi's behaviors have changed. Is this something to be worried about.
Thank you.
<Just "signaling", "dominance" flashing here... from being suddenly crowded. Watch out for further stress-induced problems. Bob Fenner>