YWG Scared or Smart?

MrG · 05/20/2012, 06:47 AM

My YWG has been acting strange the last three days (maybe more than that, I just have proof now) and was wondering if anyone else has seen something like this. Sorry for the long story in advance...

I have an open top 93gal cube, however there is a cover over the overflow. I use a small tupperware container to thaw out frozen food and once its thawed, I add some tank water then use a turkey baster to feed my fish. Once I'm done, I typically rest the container and baster on top of the overflow with the container upside down and hanging slightly over the water to dry out (first pic). On Thursday night, I was watching TV after the lights had turned off on the tank when I heard a noise that sounded like something fell off the tank. When I looked, the tupperware container was floating in the tank with the YWG inside. I quickly tipped the container to release the fish. My initial thought was that the flashing light of the TV had spooked him causing him to jump and just through dumb luck he ended up in the container instead of on the floor.

I went out to dinner Friday night and upon returning home went in to check on the tank. To my surprise, I find the tupperware container floating in the tank with the YWG inside again! This time I get a picture since I figure there's no way anyone will believe my story otherwise (second pic). Finally, I go out for the evening on Saturday and when I get home and check the tank the tupperware is again floating in the tank, but this time with no goby inside.

So, I'm starting to wonder, has my YWG suddenly taken to jumping after having him for over a year and in all that time he's approached the surface maybe five times? It's possible, I added new fish to the tank two weeks ago, so maybe that has him spooked. But three nights in a row and from the same corner each time? I have a pair of clowns that sleep in that same corner at night usually close to the surface that I would think would deter him from choosing that corner. Is it possible that the goby has associated the tupperware with food and is just looking for a snack? I have been using that same container for over a year and placing it on that corner of the overflow/tank for close to six months. If I hadn't been sitting next to the tank the first time it happened, I would thought someone was playing a trick on me as I never would have thought this would happen.

Playa-1 · 05/20/2012, 11:32 AM

Maybe it's hungry. I suspect if you don't get the tank covered then the fish will not be with you much longer.

I had a goby that literally climbed on to the ledge of the specimen container that I had it in while acclimating it to the tank. I watched it throw a fin up on the ledge and use the fin to pull itself up, like you might throw a leg over a fence when climbing it. It stayed there for a few seconds and then rolled itself into the tank. It was an interesting sight to see.

00Warpig00 · 05/20/2012, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playa-1

i suspect if you don't get the tank covered then the fish will not be with you much longer.

^-- +1

Flame_Angel · 05/20/2012, 06:47 PM

Might be advisable to not leave the plastic container on the edge of the tank if that's what he's doing, unless you want to find fish jerky.

SushiGirl · 05/20/2012, 07:02 PM

It's looking for a better tide pool to live in.

Reefahholic · 05/20/2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Playa-1

Maybe it's hungry. I suspect if you don't get the tank covered then the fish will not be with you much longer.

I had a goby that literally climbed on to the ledge of the specimen container that I had it in while acclimating it to the tank. I watched it throw a fin up on the ledge and use the fin to pull itself up, like you might throw a leg over a fence when climbing it. It stayed there for a few seconds and then rolled itself into the tank. It was an interesting sight to see.

That's cool...

05/20/2012, 06:47 AM	#1
MrG Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 153	YWG Scared or Smart? My YWG has been acting strange the last three days (maybe more than that, I just have proof now) and was wondering if anyone else has seen something like this. Sorry for the long story in advance... I have an open top 93gal cube, however there is a cover over the overflow. I use a small tupperware container to thaw out frozen food and once its thawed, I add some tank water then use a turkey baster to feed my fish. Once I'm done, I typically rest the container and baster on top of the overflow with the container upside down and hanging slightly over the water to dry out (first pic). On Thursday night, I was watching TV after the lights had turned off on the tank when I heard a noise that sounded like something fell off the tank. When I looked, the tupperware container was floating in the tank with the YWG inside. I quickly tipped the container to release the fish. My initial thought was that the flashing light of the TV had spooked him causing him to jump and just through dumb luck he ended up in the container instead of on the floor. I went out to dinner Friday night and upon returning home went in to check on the tank. To my surprise, I find the tupperware container floating in the tank with the YWG inside again! This time I get a picture since I figure there's no way anyone will believe my story otherwise (second pic). Finally, I go out for the evening on Saturday and when I get home and check the tank the tupperware is again floating in the tank, but this time with no goby inside. So, I'm starting to wonder, has my YWG suddenly taken to jumping after having him for over a year and in all that time he's approached the surface maybe five times? It's possible, I added new fish to the tank two weeks ago, so maybe that has him spooked. But three nights in a row and from the same corner each time? I have a pair of clowns that sleep in that same corner at night usually close to the surface that I would think would deter him from choosing that corner. Is it possible that the goby has associated the tupperware with food and is just looking for a snack? I have been using that same container for over a year and placing it on that corner of the overflow/tank for close to six months. If I hadn't been sitting next to the tank the first time it happened, I would thought someone was playing a trick on me as I never would have thought this would happen.

05/20/2012, 06:47 PM	#4
Flame_Angel Ready For Business Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sutton, NH Posts: 596	Might be advisable to not leave the plastic container on the edge of the tank if that's what he's doing, unless you want to find fish jerky. __________________ Operation: Rebuild:

05/20/2012, 07:02 PM	#5
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	It's looking for a better tide pool to live in. __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

05/20/2012, 11:32 AM	#2
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	Maybe it's hungry. I suspect if you don't get the tank covered then the fish will not be with you much longer. I had a goby that literally climbed on to the ledge of the specimen container that I had it in while acclimating it to the tank. I watched it throw a fin up on the ledge and use the fin to pull itself up, like you might throw a leg over a fence when climbing it. It stayed there for a few seconds and then rolled itself into the tank. It was an interesting sight to see.