Diamond Goby - Master Sand Sifter

Discussion in 'Tropical Fish' started by andywyeth07, Jan 20, 2014.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

Page 1 of 2
  1. andywyeth07

    andywyeth07 Bristle Worm

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2013
    Messages:
    127
    Location:
    Delaware, Ohio
    I bought a pair of diamond gobies about 4 months ago. I have Pink Fiji Aragon-alive sand and the gobies sift it like crazy. Sand is always suspended in my water column and it looks horrible. I figured it would go away after awhile, but it's been over 4 months now.

    Any thoughts?
     
    andywyeth07, Jan 20, 2014
    andywyeth07, Jan 20, 2014
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. Va Reef

    Va Reef Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2010
    Messages:
    3,627
    Location:
    Chesapeake, Va
    What size tank? LA recommends 30g+ however in order to keep one alive long term, they need at least 100g with a 3-4" deep sand bed just for one. These fish feed by filtering sand and eating the micro fauna that live in there. Wanting them to stop sifting is basically asking them to stop eating. Most of these fish die in a year or two because they clean out the sandbed and have nothing left to eat. I like to think of them as the fish equivalent to sand sifting stars, just a bit less efficient than the star.

    IMO a fish that should be left in the ocean.
     
    Va Reef, Jan 20, 2014
    Va Reef, Jan 20, 2014
    #2
  3. andywyeth07

    andywyeth07 Bristle Worm

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2013
    Messages:
    127
    Location:
    Delaware, Ohio
    They are in a 110 gallon tank. They are doing well and eat pellet food and sift like crazy. I really like them but didn't expect sand to always be in the water column. I was hoping most of the small sand particles would wash down into the. Sump and settle but that hasn't been the case.
     
    andywyeth07, Jan 20, 2014
    andywyeth07, Jan 20, 2014
    #3
  4. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2000
    Messages:
    13,466
    Location:
    Berkeley, CA
    Have you tried filter floss?
    I was able to a diamond goby to eat cubes buried in the sand, but nice job with the pellets. Supplemental feeding is the way to go here.
     
    Matt Rogers, Jan 20, 2014
    Matt Rogers, Jan 20, 2014
    #4
  5. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2000
    Messages:
    13,466
    Location:
    Berkeley, CA
    Have you tried filter floss?
    I was able to a diamond goby to eat cubes buried in the sand, but nice job with the pellets. Supplemental feeding is the way to go here.
     
    Matt Rogers, Jan 20, 2014
    Matt Rogers, Jan 20, 2014
    #5
  6. Reef4life

    Reef4life Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2011
    Messages:
    226
    Mine used to eat small silver-slide pieces :)
     
    Reef4life, Jan 21, 2014
    Reef4life, Jan 21, 2014
    #6

    7. Click Here!

  7. civiccars2003

    civiccars2003 Great Blue Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2010
    Messages:
    2,827
    Location:
    Akron Ohio
    Feeding isnt the issue, correct? You proably need to go with a sand bed that has some bigger particles to keep them from being suspended in the water column.
     
    civiccars2003, Jan 21, 2014
    civiccars2003, Jan 21, 2014
    #7
  8. Swisswiss

    Swisswiss Caribbean Reef Squid

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2011
    Messages:
    2,879
    Location:
    Geneva Switzerland
     
    Swisswiss, Jan 21, 2014
    Swisswiss, Jan 21, 2014
    #8
    1 person likes this.
  9. Dcerzan

    Dcerzan Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2012
    Messages:
    33
    I have pink fiji also and 1 diamond gobie. sand is clean and none is in the water column. the landscape is ever shifting thanks to him. He also eats brine, flake, mysis, and whatever else I feed. he is not shy. Love this fish
     
    Dcerzan, Jan 21, 2014
    Dcerzan, Jan 21, 2014
    #9
  10. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2010
    Messages:
    6,344
    Location:
    Dunnellon, Florida
    +1 I have seen thousands of ss's die in captivity.:(
    My friend at the lfs calls them dead fish swimming.:(
     
    Vinnyboombatz, Jan 21, 2014
    Vinnyboombatz, Jan 21, 2014
    #10
Page 1 of 2