Watchman, or Diamond Goby?

Dear Readers--

I'm deciding between a yellow watchman goby (possibly paired with a pistol shrimp eventually), and a diamond goby. I have a 30gallon soon-to-be-reef with 2 peppermint shrimp and 2 B&W clowns.

I think the yellow watchman is much prettier, but I feel like the diamond goby moves around and aerates the sand bed more.

Your thoughts?

 

the watchman. I don't think that tank will be big enough to support a diamond for long. I don't like the diamonds or other sleeper gobies because they spread sand all over the place. you really don't want your sandbed aerated per say but if you want something to sift through it, i would get some nassarius snails and rely on those for that.

 

Also, the back of my tank has part of the lip exposed (no tight-fitting lid)... is the concept of either of these goby's jumping out anything about which to worry?

 

I have eggcrate over my tank, and I just picked up my second dead diamond from the floor today. I don't know how he managed it. I'm not sure I'll get another one.

 

I have a yellow watchman and he typically stays the bottom of the tank. Like daniel said your tank might be too small really soon for what you hope. Go with the nassarius snail to churn up the sand!

 

You think 29g is too small for a yellow watchman goby?

 

I have both, they are fun to watch. The diamond is much more active than the watchman.

Many watchman gobies are reclusive and tend to hide, so if you get him, keep in mind you may not see him very much. Mine has 3-4 caves / dens he lives in, and I got lucky that he's friendly and his dens are in the front of the tank. He sits at the entrance of the den and if he had picked the rear of the tank, I'd never see him.

I would not keep a diamond goby in a 30 for long term, mine is very active and he does tend to spread sand all over EVERYTHING.

Both are possible jumpers, keep that in mind.

 

29g is not too small. We have one in a 4 gallon and he is happy. Habitat-wise, all they really need is a couple of small caves. As Zach said, they tend to stay mostly in one place/area.

 

I wouldn't put a watchman - or any fish- in a 4 gallon for that matter. Keep in mind the 75 is 48 inches long, and the watchman is around 2 inches. He does have several caves, all across the front of the tank, so it's not like he doesn't swim around. He does make use of the entire tank. He just gets to where he's going, and then watches, and waits.

 

Thanks! If I get a watchman, how important is it that I pair him with a pistol shrimp? I'm not a fan of paying 20+ for an invert, but if it's important I'll definitely do it.