Aggression from my Watchman

[cheeks69]

Hi Terry, I'm having problems with my pair of Watchman Gobies. I have tried to add more gobies at different times and they have been killed. I tried a pair of Two-spot Gobies and a Pink Bar Goby and a small Randall's. What bothers me the most is the way they have gone about it, it's like a coordinated effort, both watchman will look thru every little cave until they find the goby and double team him, like two Veloceraptors looking for prey. Is this common behaviour ? My tank size is 30x30x24 it's a fairly new tank about two months old, the watchman came from an older tank and have been with me for a couple of years. Any suggestions ? I have tried to move the rockwork around but that hasn't made a difference.

 

[Terry B]

Hi Cheeks69,

Yes, this is common behavior for this species. Although they are generally docile, even shy, they do not accept other closely related species well. They may tone it down a bit if they had a shrimp with a hole to stay in, but adding any more gobies to the aquarium is a risk. I suggest that you do some research and look into some fish that are not closely related.

Cheers,
Terry B

 

[Playa]

Dang it Robert, sorry to hear that. I hope this fellow will never turn that way, he happens to be huge but letargic

Even the coris dont seem to bother him and he is always swimming around him like a shark

 

[Playa]

"I suggest that you do some research and look into some fish that are not closely related."

Try a baby barracuda Kidding

 

[cheeks69]

Man this sucks I love Gobies,
Here's the male I think

 

[cheeks69]

Well after his disappearing for several days and me fearing the worst, my little buddy makes a cameo appearence at feeding time.

 

[wrightme43]

Gobies are cool. I love thier faces. Personality galore. They hate each other, though, they don't seem to mind any one else. Steve

 

[esmith]

I have a pink spotted watchman gobie and he's real teritorial...I just got another LawnMower Blennie and the gobie has been chasing him around like crazy. The strange thing is that my other LMB used to get along fine with the guy, but I guess the couple months by himself changed his attitude.

 

[EvilMel]

I don't want to be contradictory, but isn't it more the watchman gobies that are territorial than the other kinds of gobies. I mean I have a bunch of greenbanded gobies, a red head goby, a neon goby, 2 green clown gobies (each with their own acro), a yellow clown goby, and a yellow watchman.

I watch my tank alot and the only arguements I have seen have been between the two green clowns for an acro. I figured they would be ok though since there are plenty of other acros in the tank, and they have been fine except for the first day I put them in there.

 

[NaH2O]

EvilMel - Welcome to Reef Frontiers!!

 

[EvilMel]

Thanks alot. I have frequented Reef Central for a long time, but since I may be moving to Seattle soon I thought I would check this website out too. It seems to be really neat.

 

[Curtswearing]

I'm glad to hear that one of them survived Robert.

I would also like to welcome you EvilMel.

 

[cheeks69]

Thanx Curt but I don't know if the little guy is going to make it, he disappears for days at a time so hopefully he's feisty enough to survivet, he's beautiful

 

[Angelscrx]

Welcome Evilmel

I love gobies too. I had a Watchman once and will probably get a pair when I upgrade the tank.

 

[EvilMel]

A pair of which ones? There are so many really cool ones.

 

[cheeks69]

Welcome to RF Evilmel ! I would love to see a pic of all those gobies I just love them

 

[Angelscrx]

A pair of which ones? There are so many really cool ones.

Watchman, the little yellow ones with little blue dots on their backs. Sorry if I missed it.

 

[EvilMel]

Yeah I like my yellow watchman. He's pretty cool but he's horrible about staying with my shrimp. I have a randall's pistol shrimp and this isn't a very natural pairing. I need to get one of those Yasha Hashe gobies, but they are so expensive that it's not something I want to do at the moment. I mean $50 for a goby? That's pretty crazy.

I have some pictures of my green banded gobies that I can send to anyone who wants to see them.

My watchman and shrimp are shown on the East TN Reef Club website.
http://www.easttnreefclub.com/images/mel-5.jpg
http://www.easttnreefclub.com/images/mel-9.jpg

 

[Craig Manoukian]

I have a pair of Banded Sleeper Gobies in my refugium. They are very shy but fun to watch especially at feeding time. Glad to hear your Gobie has survived the territorial squabble Robert!

 

[Craig Manoukian]

My watchman and shrimp are shown on the East TN Reef Club website.

Very nice!