Clown goby mistake?

goldmaniac · 09/18/2009, 07:46 AM

I believe I made a mistake.

Last year I emptied my tank of fish, and I built up a nice mixed reef, including some decent SPS. This past month, I've started adding fish back to the tank, and I think I added a fish harmful to my corals.

I added a small (1.o") Yellow Clown Goby, and he's spending much his time in a 3" x 5" colony of green millepora. Beore the fish, nice polyp extension. Now - well, the base is starting to look bare of polyps.

This is the millepora, before any goby molestation

In the all write-ups of clown gobys, they all said reef-safe, and that they jump among sps. I assummed that was a good thing, but I guess it's too much of a good thing as he's taken a liking to this millepora.

Is this going to continue to get worse? Will the clown goby permanently harm the millepora? The goby has been in there for about 2-3 weeks now and I'm starting to notice a difference on the millepora.

the other primary spot he rests is on a purple rim montipora, which seems to be no worse for wear.

Do I need to remove the goby in order to save the millepora? I guess i have to say I like the millepora more than the goby.

thanks -

G.

pb4ugoout · 09/18/2009, 08:11 AM

I'm not an expert but it seems to me that you have answered your own question. You are actively seeing a difference with your Milli and it has come about because of a fish. I think regardless of what anyone says about what a fish will and won't do, every fish is different and you never know what will happen. Can you take the goby out for a few weeks and see if the coral improves? If so then I would say leave the goby out for good. You already said you enjoy the coral more than the goby. Thats what I would do.

goldmaniac · 09/18/2009, 08:30 AM

I guess I'm asking if the goby will kill the millepora. I don't need insane polyp extension or anything, I'm just trying to find out if the mille will perish from the goby

thanks again

Aerowen · 09/18/2009, 10:45 AM

i beleive clown gobies nip the stem of sps to nest/ sleep. The corals don't love it but most tolerate it

El Diablo · 09/18/2009, 10:55 AM

No, they don't nip at the coral but they do perch on the coral and will irritate the coral.
On my last tank my gobie killed my entire colony of millepora that was the size of a small basket ball.

I would recommend trying to get the little guy out.

goldmaniac · 09/18/2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by El Diablo
...On my last tank my gobie killed my entire colony of millepora that was the size of a small basket ball.

I would recommend trying to get the little guy out.

Thanks, that's all I needed to hear. Now I have to figure out how to remove a 1" goby from a 120 gal tank...

rsantangelo3@co · 09/18/2009, 11:18 AM

I had a green clown and citrus just adddded 2 weeks ago. Just posted about this. I see him on my millis and bite at them causing dead spots and irriating polyps. Granyted these are only frags and cant tolerate a 2.5" goby on 1.5" frag. green stays in leather and cant catch him the citrus would perch on glass. really cool to see and always did so as we was on glass i finally caught him and is in my sump. Its been 3 days and corals r looking a little better

sks4613 · 09/18/2009, 09:47 PM

He'll be a tough one to get out for sure! Best of luck

09/18/2009, 07:46 AM	#1
goldmaniac Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Yardley, PA Posts: 1,567	Clown goby mistake? I believe I made a mistake. Last year I emptied my tank of fish, and I built up a nice mixed reef, including some decent SPS. This past month, I've started adding fish back to the tank, and I think I added a fish harmful to my corals. I added a small (1.o") Yellow Clown Goby, and he's spending much his time in a 3" x 5" colony of green millepora. Beore the fish, nice polyp extension. Now - well, the base is starting to look bare of polyps. This is the millepora, before any goby molestation In the all write-ups of clown gobys, they all said reef-safe, and that they jump among sps. I assummed that was a good thing, but I guess it's too much of a good thing as he's taken a liking to this millepora. Is this going to continue to get worse? Will the clown goby permanently harm the millepora? The goby has been in there for about 2-3 weeks now and I'm starting to notice a difference on the millepora. the other primary spot he rests is on a purple rim montipora, which seems to be no worse for wear. Do I need to remove the goby in order to save the millepora? I guess i have to say I like the millepora more than the goby. thanks - G.

09/18/2009, 10:55 AM	#5
El Diablo Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sunset Hills Posts: 2,892	No, they don't nip at the coral but they do perch on the coral and will irritate the coral. On my last tank my gobie killed my entire colony of millepora that was the size of a small basket ball. I would recommend trying to get the little guy out. __________________ :) :) Hello Thanks Todd ___________________________________________

09/18/2009, 11:18 AM	#7
rsantangelo3@co Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ct Posts: 846	I had a green clown and citrus just adddded 2 weeks ago. Just posted about this. I see him on my millis and bite at them causing dead spots and irriating polyps. Granyted these are only frags and cant tolerate a 2.5" goby on 1.5" frag. green stays in leather and cant catch him the citrus would perch on glass. really cool to see and always did so as we was on glass i finally caught him and is in my sump. Its been 3 days and corals r looking a little better __________________ Fish Crazy! Current Tank Info: 300 FOWLER display (675 gallon system) & a 30 oceanic cube (Nano) reef!

09/18/2009, 08:11 AM	#2
pb4ugoout Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 148	I'm not an expert but it seems to me that you have answered your own question. You are actively seeing a difference with your Milli and it has come about because of a fish. I think regardless of what anyone says about what a fish will and won't do, every fish is different and you never know what will happen. Can you take the goby out for a few weeks and see if the coral improves? If so then I would say leave the goby out for good. You already said you enjoy the coral more than the goby. Thats what I would do.

09/18/2009, 08:30 AM	#3
goldmaniac Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Yardley, PA Posts: 1,567	I guess I'm asking if the goby will kill the millepora. I don't need insane polyp extension or anything, I'm just trying to find out if the mille will perish from the goby thanks again

09/18/2009, 10:45 AM	#4
Aerowen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long island, NY Posts: 497	i beleive clown gobies nip the stem of sps to nest/ sleep. The corals don't love it but most tolerate it

09/18/2009, 09:47 PM	#8
sks4613 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Newburgh Posts: 100	He'll be a tough one to get out for sure! Best of luck