Anybody else got a goatfish in their reef?

[Seansea]

Had this dude for a month and has not eatin any food i have put in the tank. He just sifts thru the sand probably eating pods and crap in the sand. Was curious if anyone elses goatfish took this long to eat and did they eventually take to food you put in the tank?

 

[wasabi bean]

Not a goat fish but mu sand sifting goby didn’t initially eat pellets so what i would do is just bury them in the sand and wait for him to go digging, now he happily eats pellets from my auto feede

 

[Seansea]

Not a goat fish but mu sand sifting goby didn’t initially eat pellets so what i would do is just bury them in the sand and wait for him to go digging, now he happily eats pellets from my auto feede

This isnt bad idea. Did yoir other fish find them first. My other fish are pigs and would take them first i fsel like

 

[wasabi bean]

This isnt bad idea. Did yoir other fish find them first. My other fish are pigs and would take them first i fsel like

Well i use a turkey baster or pippete to put them slightly below the sands surface and that stops them from being blown around or being eaten

 

[Seansea]

Ok ill give it a try

 

[Seansea]

Ok tried this. Orange shoulder, foxface and hippo just dug em up and ate em. Goatfish went and hid. Alot of big eaters in this tank. This dude shows no interest in food i put in

 

[Uncle99]

Ok tried this. Orange shoulder, foxface and hippo just dug em up and ate em. Goatfish went and hid. Alot of big eaters in this tank. This dude shows no interest in food i put in

If he’s been doing ok for a month, active and not losing weight, then maybe he sneaks a bite or two.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

#reefsquad

 

[Rocks reef]

If he’s been doing ok for a month, active and not losing weight, then maybe he sneaks a bite or two.

Agreed. It is more than likely finding food in the sand.

 

[Rocks reef]

Have you tried anything else besides pellets?
I would try some thawed brine shrimp and/or mysis. See if you can use a turkey baster or pipette and slightly “hide” the food in sand.
They are primarily bottom feeders that sift the sand for food.
Also, what size tank is it being housed in? They can reach 9-10” when grown.
Also, if you any shrimp in your tank, it will eat those.

 

[Seansea]

If he’s been doing ok for a month, active and not losing weight, then maybe he sneaks a bite or two.

I have not seen him eat any food. But he does dig thru sand alot. I have alot of pods in tank.

Have you tried anything else besides pellets?
I would try some thawed brine shrimp and/or mysis. See if you can use a turkey baster or pipette and slightly “hide” the food in sand.
They are primarily bottom feeders that sift the sand for food.
Also, what size tank is it being housed in? They can reach 9-10” when grown.
Also, if you any shrimp in your tank, it will eat those.

HEs in a 180g. I have tried squid, mysis, brine, scallops, cod, live brine, pellets, clam on half shell. My fish eat better than kids in most 3rd world countries. Hes on 3" now but from what i understand in captivity they rarely exceed 6-7". Time will tell tho

 

[Seansea]

If he’s been doing ok for a month, active and not losing weight, then maybe he sneaks a bite or two.

I have not seen him eat any food. But he does dig thru sand alot. I have alot of pods in tank.

Have you tried anything else besides pellets?
I would try some thawed brine shrimp and/or mysis. See if you can use a turkey baster or pipette and slightly “hide” the food in sand.
They are primarily bottom feeders that sift the sand for food.
Also, what size tank is it being housed in? They can reach 9-10” when grown.
Also, if you any shrimp in your tank, it will eat those.

HEs in a 180g. I have tried squid, mysis, brine, scallops, cod, live brine, pellets, clam on half shell. My fish eat better than kids in most 3rd world countries. Hes on 3" now but from what i understand in captivity they rarely exceed 6-7".

 

[Seansea]

Ok realized something. Checked tank last night at 2 am looking for berghia nudis that i added 2 months ago. I saw none which explains why my aptasia have gotten worse not better. But i saw the goatfish out hunting for food. In the sand on the rocks all over. All the other fish were hiding and it
Turns out goatfish are nocturnal. When the lights are on he just sits on the powerhead. I shoot food right in his face and it bounces off his head and doesnt even try. But he has actually grown in the 6 weeks ive had him so he must be getting enough to eat. Still worried its not enough. To me feels like these guys fall in the mandarin category where you need a established tank with alot of sand to sustain them.