New fish MIA

conk12301 · 11/14/2011, 07:42 AM

So I purchased a new fish on Saturday for my 55 gallon FOWLR.

I'm not sure exactly of the type. The LFS owner said it was a gobie but couldn't remember the specific name. It looked just like a golden headed sleeper goby - but it was about a 4-5 inches, didn't have a golden head and was more active than sleepers.

This is all besides the point....

He's been missing ever since I released him into the tank.

I drip acclimated for two hours just like normal. And that's where things got a little rough. While putting transfering him from the bucket into the tank, he jumped and landed on the floor. He flopped around on my carpet for about 5 seconds or so before I could scoop him up gently with a net. I dropped him into the tank from the net right away. He swam around like normal for about 60 seconds and then violently burrowed a tunnel in the substrate to hide underneath a huge hunk of rock. And he hasn't come out since. He burrowed so far I can't even see him.

And it's been about 36 hours now. Should I keep waiting it out? Or should I try to lift up the rock, which might cause more stress or potential damage?

Jocko · 11/14/2011, 08:05 AM

Just wait. Hopefully soon he'll start to come out at least when you feed the other fish to grab a quick bite.

Ron Reefman · 11/14/2011, 08:13 AM

I have an ORA Indigo Basslet that I bought almost 3 years ago at an auction. When I put it in the tank it went behind the rocks. It didn't come out for a week, even for food. Now it comes out once and awhile for food. In almost 3 years I probalby have a total viewing time of this fish in the 30 minute range! Just give it some time.

WetShepherd · 11/14/2011, 08:38 AM

It could take up to a month for a fish to become comfortable in his new home. It could also be the fishes nature that it spend a great deal of time in the substrate - always a good idea to look into the breed before purchase but I know it's hard to resist sometimes

I'd imagine that once he gets a sense of what time you feed he'll start showing up more

Sugar Magnolia · 11/14/2011, 08:59 AM

That's not unusual at all. I've had a watchamn goby go unseen for months at a time. Just keep checking the tank every so often and I would think you'll see it in the next week or so. Don't be surprised if you do see it and it darts back into hiding. It just takes time for some fish to become comfortable4 with their new environment.

sra127 · 11/14/2011, 05:12 PM

i had a purple firefish that i didnt see for about 3 months and then one day there he was. just give it time.

Merasti · 11/14/2011, 07:50 PM

When I first added my gold head sleeper goby he went straight under a rock and I looked up under the tank and could see him on the bottom glass just laying there. Stayed there a couple days and then came out and stays mid level in the tank waiting for frozen mysis. He is my favorite fish in the tank.

Irishdolphin · 08/19/2013, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conk12301

So I purchased a new fish on Saturday for my 55 gallon FOWLR.

I'm not sure exactly of the type. The LFS owner said it was a gobie but couldn't remember the specific name. It looked just like a golden headed sleeper goby - but it was about a 4-5 inches, didn't have a golden head and was more active than sleepers.

This is all besides the point....

He's been missing ever since I released him into the tank

Did he ever appear?

Lsufiregal · 08/19/2013, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sra127

i had a purple firefish that i didnt see for about 3 months and then one day there he was. just give it time.

Good to know. I have one that I havent seen in a while. I am afraid my tube anemone got hungry but this gives me hope.

11/14/2011, 07:42 AM	#1
conk12301 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 175	New fish MIA So I purchased a new fish on Saturday for my 55 gallon FOWLR. I'm not sure exactly of the type. The LFS owner said it was a gobie but couldn't remember the specific name. It looked just like a golden headed sleeper goby - but it was about a 4-5 inches, didn't have a golden head and was more active than sleepers. This is all besides the point.... He's been missing ever since I released him into the tank. I drip acclimated for two hours just like normal. And that's where things got a little rough. While putting transfering him from the bucket into the tank, he jumped and landed on the floor. He flopped around on my carpet for about 5 seconds or so before I could scoop him up gently with a net. I dropped him into the tank from the net right away. He swam around like normal for about 60 seconds and then violently burrowed a tunnel in the substrate to hide underneath a huge hunk of rock. And he hasn't come out since. He burrowed so far I can't even see him. And it's been about 36 hours now. Should I keep waiting it out? Or should I try to lift up the rock, which might cause more stress or potential damage?

11/14/2011, 08:13 AM	#3
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	I have an ORA Indigo Basslet that I bought almost 3 years ago at an auction. When I put it in the tank it went behind the rocks. It didn't come out for a week, even for food. Now it comes out once and awhile for food. In almost 3 years I probalby have a total viewing time of this fish in the 30 minute range! Just give it some time. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

11/14/2011, 08:38 AM	#4
WetShepherd Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 522 Blog Entries: 5	It could take up to a month for a fish to become comfortable in his new home. It could also be the fishes nature that it spend a great deal of time in the substrate - always a good idea to look into the breed before purchase but I know it's hard to resist sometimes I'd imagine that once he gets a sense of what time you feed he'll start showing up more __________________ (see blog for pics) 55g Tank (48" x 13" x 21") /c 60lbs LR & 60lbs Sand 2 MP10w 1 Koralia 425 PH, 3 Reef Brite LED Bars, 15g Sump Tunze DOC Skimmer 9002 and 2 150w Eheim Jager Heater @ 78.5 degrees

11/14/2011, 08:59 AM	#5
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	That's not unusual at all. I've had a watchamn goby go unseen for months at a time. Just keep checking the tank every so often and I would think you'll see it in the next week or so. Don't be surprised if you do see it and it darts back into hiding. It just takes time for some fish to become comfortable4 with their new environment. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

11/14/2011, 05:12 PM	#6
sra127 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl Posts: 673	i had a purple firefish that i didnt see for about 3 months and then one day there he was. just give it time. __________________ 90 Gallon, 30 Gallon Fuge, Octo 150 DNWB, 18 Watt UV, Carbon and Phosban, MP 40, 2 Icecap 660's running 6 T5's, Lots of coral, PBT, Naso, Yellow, Pair of B&W Clowns, Purple Firefish, Sixline and Radiant Wrasse 14 Gallon Nano, 150 HQI, Lots of frags, Clam, 1 Rainford goby needing a buddy.... Current Tank Info: 300 gallon custom tank.

11/14/2011, 08:05 AM	#2
Jocko Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 595	Just wait. Hopefully soon he'll start to come out at least when you feed the other fish to grab a quick bite.

11/14/2011, 07:50 PM	#7
Merasti Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: WI Posts: 63	When I first added my gold head sleeper goby he went straight under a rock and I looked up under the tank and could see him on the bottom glass just laying there. Stayed there a couple days and then came out and stays mid level in the tank waiting for frozen mysis. He is my favorite fish in the tank.

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