Is my goby eating enough?

Jscwerve · 03/10/2016, 08:15 AM

Hello all.

I've got a QT set up right now with two little (like 1") ocellaris clowns and a yellow watchman goby (also little guy, like 2").

QT specs:
20 gallon, bare bottom except one tupperware container of sand for the gobi
PVC fittings
Koralia 425 powerhead
canister filter with sponge and ceramic media (cleaned every 4 days). Media was in my sump for 3 weeks to seed with bacteria.
Testing Ammonia every third day. Was daily for a week, then every other day, and never indicated any build up. Also doing water changes 20% every 5 days.

The gobi and the clowns ate like champs for the first couple of days. Happy happy all around. Now, going into the beginning of the fourth week of QT I'm not sure the gobi is getting enough to eat. He has settled himself in the tupperware container with the PVC fitting in it, and he doesn't actively come out to eat like he had been doing before. If food comes directly in from of his face, I see him gulp it in, but other than that, doesn't move much. In the last couple of days he/she has lost some color as well, from yellow to grey. I fear that the clowns snatch everything up before he has a chance. I don't want him to starve to death. What can I do?

Should I leave the pumps off longer just to give more time for food to hopefully float in front of him?
Maybe target feed right in front of where he hangs out? I fear if I try this he'll just freak out and dart to some other area of the tank anyways.

Any ideas appreciated.

(Only the powerhead on the back of that tank is in there)

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bat21 · 03/10/2016, 08:28 AM

Turn the pumps off. Squirt some food on the other side of the tank for the clowns to munch on. And while they're doing that squirt some right in front of the goby. You could buy one of these to be more acurate with the placement of the food http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewit...product=KM2711

FWIW, my watchman varies in how he eats. Some days he won't move a muscle and will only eat food that passes within a millimeter of his mouth, and then other days he is clearly hungry and will hover a few inches above the sand and dart around for food that is several inches away.

Jscwerve · 03/10/2016, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bat21

Turn the pumps off. Squirt some food on the other side of the tank for the clowns to munch on. And while they're doing that squirt some right in front of the goby. You could buy one of these to be more acurate with the placement of the food http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewit...product=KM2711

I'll give that a shot. I've got a "Julians Thing" that I use to spot feed my sun and Duncan corals. http://www.marinedepot.com/Two_Littl...FDFECR-vi.html

I'll try this afternoon.

BTW I didn't mention in first post, switching back and forth between just mysis and Rods food. If that makes any difference.

bat21 · 03/10/2016, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jscwerve

I'll give that a shot. I've got a "Julians Thing" that I use to spot feed my sun and Duncan corals. http://www.marinedepot.com/Two_Littl...FDFECR-vi.html

I'll try this afternoon.

BTW I didn't mention in first post, switching back and forth between just mysis and Rods food. If that makes any difference.

Should be fine. Mine loves mysis. But if he is not eating either, then I would try some other food.

03/10/2016, 08:15 AM	#1
Jscwerve Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 309	Is my goby eating enough? Hello all. I've got a QT set up right now with two little (like 1") ocellaris clowns and a yellow watchman goby (also little guy, like 2"). QT specs: 20 gallon, bare bottom except one tupperware container of sand for the gobi PVC fittings Koralia 425 powerhead canister filter with sponge and ceramic media (cleaned every 4 days). Media was in my sump for 3 weeks to seed with bacteria. Testing Ammonia every third day. Was daily for a week, then every other day, and never indicated any build up. Also doing water changes 20% every 5 days. The gobi and the clowns ate like champs for the first couple of days. Happy happy all around. Now, going into the beginning of the fourth week of QT I'm not sure the gobi is getting enough to eat. He has settled himself in the tupperware container with the PVC fitting in it, and he doesn't actively come out to eat like he had been doing before. If food comes directly in from of his face, I see him gulp it in, but other than that, doesn't move much. In the last couple of days he/she has lost some color as well, from yellow to grey. I fear that the clowns snatch everything up before he has a chance. I don't want him to starve to death. What can I do? Should I leave the pumps off longer just to give more time for food to hopefully float in front of him? Maybe target feed right in front of where he hangs out? I fear if I try this he'll just freak out and dart to some other area of the tank anyways. Any ideas appreciated. (Only the powerhead on the back of that tank is in there) [IMG][/IMG]

03/10/2016, 08:28 AM	#2
bat21 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 701	Turn the pumps off. Squirt some food on the other side of the tank for the clowns to munch on. And while they're doing that squirt some right in front of the goby. You could buy one of these to be more acurate with the placement of the food http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewit...product=KM2711 FWIW, my watchman varies in how he eats. Some days he won't move a muscle and will only eat food that passes within a millimeter of his mouth, and then other days he is clearly hungry and will hover a few inches above the sand and dart around for food that is several inches away. __________________ --- Current Tank Info: 65g fowlr