Do Shrimp Gobies need established tanks?

Zionas · Jul 16, 2020

Hi all, I would just like to know whether Shrimp Gobies need established tanks with lots of microfauna in the sand. Do they sift sand the same way as Sleeper Gobies (genus Valencianna etc.) do? Do they do best in mature, established tanks or can they be the first fish or among the first fish in a tank?

I want to add a YWG, a Pink Bar Shrimp Goby, and an Orange Spotted Shrimp Goby to my 6’.

ichthyogeek · Jul 16, 2020

Nope. They are not sand sifters, and therefore don’t require lots of microfauna in the sand. I would say they can be among the first fish in the tank, but wouldn’t put them in as the first fish in the tank, unless more belligerent tankmates were to be added later.

Zionas · Jul 16, 2020

I am seriously considering putting my three gobies in along with my 4 PJ Cardinals as my first fish so they could be among my first fish, but not sure if 7 fish is too many for a 180 that’s just started. They’ll all be small, around an inch or slightly more than an inch, just worried about the sudden spike in nitrates or even ammonia.

Regular_Reefer · Jul 16, 2020

I’ve been on the fence about adding a watchman and tiger first to my setup as well. It would either be this or the royal gramma since I think it’s the most “shy” on my prospect list.

Zionas · Jul 16, 2020

I definitely want the Gobies and PJs in before my Clownfish. Pyramid Butterflies before my Yellow Tang. As for the Royal Gramma, you got me thinking. As of now my plan is to add it with my Clowns or after it.

Regular_Reefer · Jul 16, 2020

I wanted to add my clowns first sooo bad haha, have them waiting at my LFS but I’ve heard/read adding a pair first is hit or miss as they will want to claim the whole display as theirs. I have a 60g (kinda cube) display.

Zionas · Jul 16, 2020

I used to want Clowns as the first fish in my tank or among the first fish but then I found that these shrimp Gobies and Pajama Cardinals are all more peaceful so they’re going in before my Ocellaris pair ahahaha.

Regular_Reefer · Jul 16, 2020

I’ve have not been able to get on board with the cardinals. No particular reason. Are they “schooling” fish?

Zionas · Jul 16, 2020

Some are, some aren’t. Bangaiis tend to reduce themselves to a pair but some other species like the Pajama Cardinals and Yellow Striped Cardinals, Threadfin Cardinals and maybe the Flame Cardinal (Apogon maculatus) seem to do better in small groups.