Opinion on Best Goby for a Nano

[sharkie]

Hi!

In your opinion, what is a good goby for a 12 gallon nano?

I would like one that is more pratical than pretty. :) In other words, I would like one that would sift the sand and do other interesting things.

Since it is going into a nano, it would need to stay relatively small. And since, I am a newbie, it would be nice if it was hardy.

Is there a goby that fits my criteria? I've checked out my choices at some of the online stores, but nothing beats people's experiences.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

chiu

[Brett Wilson]

neon gobie; though they dont serve a purpose they are fun to watch and very catchy to the eye...

[Tim Marvin]

I like the little clown gobies also.

[cpreefguy]

I agree with Tim, go with a clown goby. Also, you can keep more than one in your tank.

[dow]

I just got a Hector's Goby from Fin-Addicts, and he's really pretty. Pretty small, sifts sand, and is very interesting.

[alexwolf]

The highfin goby is cool too. The Hector's goby is a good choice, and the neon goby is cool too. They are a bit short lived though, with approx 2 yr lifespan.

[KarenB]

For a tank that size, it would be totally cool to have a highfin goby with its symbiont pistol shrimp. It would be fascinating to watch, and the pistol shrimp will keep the sand stirred up :D

[Reef69]

well, I agree with Tim, clown gobies are cool..they are funny looking too..neon gobies eat off parasites, much like a cleaner wrasse, not as fast though, but they do serve a purpose..I have a little orange stripped goby whos real name i forget..lol..he lives with a tiger pistol shrimp..although the shrimp rarely comes out, they are pretty interesting to watch.

[sharkie]

Wow... A lot of votes for the Green Clown Goby. I saw one at aquatek the other day, and they do look nice.

Do they do in sand sifting or cleaning? Or are they just there. :) Any why will they not go will with SPS Frags?

Does anybody have any experience with a Raindolfi goby? I saw a couple at Austin Aquariums the other day.

Thanks for all the replies!

chiu

[Reef69]

Well, they usually just perch or swim around, they might be shy at first and hide, but will eventually come out..they dont sift or anything..I have no clue why they would do any harm to SPS..

[TAXMAN]

I put a Clown Goby in my 2.5 and it was really small. Sucked up to the small whisper filter inlet and died. :( Sad day for my 5 year old since it's his tank. I will get another one soon. So I guess this is another clown goby vote. :)

[GaryP]

We have 2 high fin and 1 Hector gobies in our nanos. The only problem with the highfin is that you won't see them a lot. They dig a burrow and we usually only see them at feeding time. Love the Hector's though.

Gary

[Crab Rangoon]

I thought one needed to be weary of sifting gobies in nano's, since the constant sand sifting could get to agitate one's corals (getting the sand on them). Or did I read wrong before?

[Tim Marvin]

Your right Randy. Sand sifting can be a headache to the nano reefer. They even irritate those of us with larger tanks. If you really want to stay ****ed put in an engineer, and set corals all around the bottom.

[GaryP]

I have coarse gravel so its not really a problem with these guys.

Gary

[Tim Marvin]

Good point GaryP. I guess I should have stated tanks with fine sand...LOL. They will fill a capricornis half way up the tank hourly. Talk about irritating. I blow it off they pile it on. They aren't smart enough to give up so this goes on and on every day. I have had the three of them at bay for a few weeks now though since I dumped more rubble and chunks in the front. they can sift until their hearts are content in the back of the tank.

[~TG~]

I have a yellow clown goby in my Nano tank and he's really cool. ;) Quite a character ~ untill i found out HE was a SHE and now I have... ohhh about 5 or so "baby" gobies camping out between the clips of the heater :shock: at least thats what I think they are :? LOL

~TG~

[Sherri]

How about a fish for a 2 Gallon Nano? The same choices?

[Tim Marvin]

I go with the neon, but the clown stays small also.

[sharkie]

Hmm...Interesting point Randy. I guess I would like a goby who only digs without ruining any LR or coral placements. :) Any chances of that? ;)

I'll check out Fin-Addict when I am down in San Antonio on Saturday for the HCCC Cichlid Auction (<---Another shameless plug)

Just in case anyone missed my second question: Does anyone have any personal experience with the Rainford Goby (aka Court Jester Goby, aka
Amblygobius rainfordi)?

chiu

[Crab Rangoon]

word, I think when we get temporarily bored/hungry at the auction, we're gonna make a quick split to that store too. see you tomorrow. good luck w/Goby situation.

[Alamo]

I love my dragon goby, sifts sand, and looks different"Usually gets a WHATS THAT FISH comment from guests)

[Andrew]

Rainfordi gobi usually don't do well in small tanks IMO, need lots of live rock to graze on algae, small crustaceans. It's closely related to hector goby (Ambygobius sp.). If you buy a rainford, ask to see it fed (and eating well), before it is bagged.

Andrew

[Crab Rangoon]

Man, I'd be surprised if he wasn't still pretty interested in a neon, since we saw a tiny one in a lil reef yesterday @ Fin Addicts, it was too cool that everything (corals and fish) were all super tiny in the tank.

[Sherri]

Anyone know anything about a Red Hyphened Bandit Goby? Got a small one for my Nano - apparently pairs up with a cleaner shrimp? Am I correct? Awesome little thing. Yellow head, tall thin black dorsal, and banded body...