Twin Spot Goby

[Dkuhlmann]

While I was researching getting a sand sifter goby I looked into the two spots. From what I've read they have a better chance of survival in pairs. This said I decided not to get them.

I did however get a Hector's goby and it's similar in appearance and in it's feeding habits. It does eat most kinds of food that I feed, mysis. LRS pellets etc and it sifts sand. Really cool fish.

[mmittlesteadt]

Originally Posted by snorvich

Buying a fish to rescue it sends the message to the LFS that these fish sell. If you want to help fish that should not be purchased, do not buy them, so they are not brought in. I might be able to keep one alive in my 350 gallon reef tank, but I would not try it.

This LFS is in its own department where I work and I've already told them, and they agreed, NOT to ever get one again. I got it for $9.

[mmittlesteadt]

Originally Posted by snorvich

These fish are found in the wild in large shaded sandy areas, usually under piers or similar areas. I have spent a rather large amount of time photographing them so know a bit more about them than just reading on Google. Tank volume is irrelevant, what you need is a very large footprint that includes sand. But with this post, I am out of this discussion.

I assume you feel it better I left it to die at the LFS where it had even less of a chance? This is not a case of me wanting a fish so bad that I'm just ignoring advice. I'm trying to help it. If you don't want to offer any advice on how to do so, so be it. I'm not trying to be argumentative, not at all, and I respect your opinions.

[mmittlesteadt]

Originally Posted by Dkuhlmann

While I was researching getting a sand sifter goby I looked into the two spots. From what I've read they have a better chance of survival in pairs. This said I decided not to get them.

I did however get a Hector's goby and it's similar in appearance and in it's feeding habits. It does eat most kinds of food that I feed, mysis. LRS pellets etc and it sifts sand. Really cool fish.

I have some sinking pellets in there this morning, and as usual a lot of them end up swirling about the sand in little eddy's by his rock caves that my water flow creates. I've just witnessed him eating them!

So between the pellets and the Reef Chili, with any luck at all, perhaps I can help him live as long as possible. It is not ideal, but I still hold out hope. I will keep reporting as to it's progress.

If anyone wants to offer advice, other than telling me I did the wrong thing and should return it (which won't happen), I would really appreciate it. Thank you.

[Dkuhlmann]

I think what you are doing will probably work, for how long is the question. Try some mysis with selcon or garlic and see if it eats more.

[mmittlesteadt]

Originally Posted by Dkuhlmann

I think what you are doing will probably work, for how long is the question. Try some mysis with selcon or garlic and see if it eats more.

Mysis is on my list of other things to try. He doesn't really have any competition for food so he has that going for him. Gotta get the food to stay on the sandbed though. He won't eat anywhere else. Already turning off circulation pumps at feeding time.

[mmittlesteadt]

He is still sifting there on the sand by the pellets (which I overfed...lord my skimmer's been working overtime!). He is gobbling them up like crazy!

I wish there was a sinking pellet made up entirely of zooplankton...like if Reef Chili was in sinking pellet form. I actually e-mailed them to see if it was something they'd look into creating for all these sand sifting creatures. Nothing back from them though. It seems like THAT is what is lacking in food varieties. There are a lot of bottom feeders (think starfish, etc.) that would benefit from this kind of specialized food.

[Dkuhlmann]

Originally Posted by mmittlesteadt

Mysis is on my list of other things to try. He doesn't really have any competition for food so he has that going for him. Gotta get the food to stay on the sandbed though. He won't eat anywhere else. Already turning off circulation pumps at feeding time.

Excellent!

[Dkuhlmann]

Check Blue Zoo I think they make one that would work and you can get them in .5mm pellets

[mmittlesteadt]

Just to give everyone a little background on me (for those who think I somehow bought this fish on impulse and should return it)...

I have been a wildlife artist for almost 40 years and because of that I've had to study animals, their habitats, behaviors and feeding habits to accurately depict them. I've been an avid hiker into remote wilderness and I am very much in tune with nature. I went to college and studied biology and was going to become a naturalist. I've managed two privately owned pet stores with large freshwater departments and I've kept freshwater fish and plants for over 35 years. We've had some FOWLR tanks in the store that I maintained.

I've bred wild caught discus in planted tanks at a time when keeping them in bare tanks was the norm and still was not easy. I've bred wild caught Altum Angels back when Altums were not even noticed much in the trade.

I've designed habitats for exotic creatures for private individuals and small zoos. All of which required extensive research and knowledge. While I mostly do mural work for cultural and natural history museums now, I still am an avid reader of anything relating to nature and science.

I'm only new to keeping reef tanks, specifically corals. I've had FOWLR tanks in the stores and in my home in the past. I'm not a newbie to animal husbandry or the needs of animals in my care. I have an affinity for nature and the animals on this planet and I donate a lot of money and time to organizations that protect our natural world. I'm 54 years old and have dedicated my life to preserving our natural world my entire life.

Getting the Twin Spot Goby was not on a whim, impulse or for any other reason than to give it it's absolute best chance at survival. That's why I got him and that's why I urged and convinced my LFS to NOT get any more of these fish into the store.

I'm hoping this thread can be a journal of my experience with this fish and that it can be a warning to some and a guide to others who may unfortunately ended up having one of these. So let's do away with any negativity, and lets work together to see what we can do together to help this guy out.

[mmittlesteadt]

Originally Posted by Dkuhlmann

Check Blue Zoo I think they make one that would work and you can get them in .5mm pellets

Thank you. Will do.

[Dkuhlmann]

Originally Posted by mmittlesteadt

Just to give everyone a little background on me (for those who think I somehow bought this fish on impulse and should return it)...

I have been a wildlife artist for almost 40 years and because of that I've had to study animals, their habitats, behaviors and feeding habits to accurately depict them. I've been an avid hiker into remote wilderness and I am very much in tune with nature. I went to college and studied biology and was going to become a naturalist. I've managed two privately owned pet stores with large freshwater departments and I've kept freshwater fish and plants for over 35 years. We've had some FOWLR tanks in the store that I maintained.

I've bred wild caught discus in planted tanks at a time when keeping them in bare tanks was the norm and still was not easy. I've bred wild caught Altum Angels back when Altums were not even noticed much in the trade.

I've designed habitats for exotic creatures for private individuals and small zoos. All of which required extensive research and knowledge. While I mostly do mural work for cultural and natural history museums now, I still am an avid reader of anything relating to nature and science.

I'm only new to keeping reef tanks, specifically corals. I've had FOWLR tanks in the stores and in my home in the past. I'm not a newbie to animal husbandry or the needs of animals in my care. I have an affinity for nature and the animals on this planet and I donate a lot of money and time to organizations that protect our natural world. I'm 54 years old and have dedicated my life to preserving our natural world my entire life.

Getting the Twin Spot Goby was not on a whim, impulse or for any other reason than to give it it's absolute best chance at survival. That's why I got him and that's why I urged and convinced my LFS to NOT get any more of these fish into the store.

I'm hoping this thread can be a journal of my experience with this fish and that it can be a warning to some and a guide to others who may unfortunately ended up having one of these.

We're the same age.

[Dkuhlmann]

Originally Posted by mmittlesteadt

Thank you. Will do.

Check this one out, I'm about to order a few fish and some of this. They have others too, but I think this would work.

https://www.bluezooaquatics.com/prod...pid=1750&did=5

[mmittlesteadt]

Here is a horribly blurry pic of him feeding on the sinking pellets. He is way in the back in one area behind the rockwork where the pellets sit and swirl in an eddy on the sandbed. It was taken at a poor angle under difficult lighting (actinics are mostly up now and I didn't want to adjust the lighting for the pic and risk upsetting him while he is feeding). He is almost dead center in the pic (very camouflaged fish!) and you can see the brown pellets all around him that he IS eating!!!

[mmittlesteadt]

Originally Posted by Dkuhlmann

Check this one out, I'm about to order a few fish and some of this. They have others too, but I think this would work.

https://www.bluezooaquatics.com/prod...pid=1750&did=5

Thanks...I've been looking at their site for food. I really appreciate the help.

I can't tell if that is a sinking pellet or a floating flake food though.

[Dkuhlmann]

Originally Posted by mmittlesteadt

Thanks...I've been looking at their site for food. I really appreciate the help.

I can't tell if that is a sinking pellet or a floating flake food though.

I'd just call them and see what they say. I've heard nothing but good about them in both their food and their fish. They have the best price on the fish I and a better price on shipping by about $12 cheaper!

[Dkuhlmann]

Anyway I'm outta here for a while, I had major spine surgery Thursday and got home yesterday. Need to get some rest. I'll chat with you later.

Dave

[mmittlesteadt]

Originally Posted by Dkuhlmann

I'd just call them and see what they say. I've heard nothing but good about them in both their food and their fish. They have the best price on the fish I and a better price on shipping by about $12 cheaper!

Thank you for your help. And best of luck on your recovery.

[mmittlesteadt]

Just got a good view of him from above but could not get a decent pic. He is looking quite full and rounder. He's eaten a good share of the pellets.

[mmittlesteadt]

He's very active today. Doesn't act like a fish that is starving. Posted a video...

Twin Spot Goby making a new cave

[heathlindner25]

That's awesome ,I hope he lives a long time for you. He seems very content which is good.

[Dkuhlmann]

He looks awesome!

[mmittlesteadt]

Thanks. Yeah, he is doing good so far. But most of the time they do well, maybe up to 6 months but I have yet to read of them living very long in home aquariums.

He's exhibiting natural behaviors and he is living in a pretty stress free environment with no competition for food. The habitat I set up for my reef tank is conducive to him being stress free, which according to my friend (the marine biologist) means everything to the health and well being of fish.

[Dkuhlmann]

Did you take the video down? It says video unavailable.

[mmittlesteadt]

Originally Posted by Dkuhlmann

Did you take the video down? It says video unavailable.

Must just be a glitch. I just clicked on the link and it works for me.

I updated the video with a warning for people not to buy them and tell LFS's not to stock them.