engineer goby tank mates

[Ro Bow]

would a full grown engineer goby eat a full grown clownfish or full grown gobies?

 

[James M]

They aren’t like eels and go after small fish. So you’re good to add those fish

 

[Ro Bow]

even gobies? What about some blennies?

 

[Auquanut]

I wouldn't worry too much about an engineer goby eating other fish. Mine is over 3 years old and very shy. Even my smallest fish can send this 12+'' guy back into his lair.

I might be concerned about compatibility with other sand shifting gobies. Engineers move an insane amount of sand. Mine is constantly closing off old tunnels and opening new ones. I can't imagine that a goby, or goby shrimp pair would ever be able to build a home with this guy around.

 

[boboyo]

Today I was told engineer gobies eat hermits and snails?? Online posts are mixed on this.

But yea, engineer gobies dont go for fish in your tank. The 2 that I have are very peaceful and hide in their lair all day

 

[Ta2oodfreak]

I have a 8-10" engineer goby in my 180g with a bunch of other fish (clowns, tangs, firefish, cardinals) and no issues.

 

[Auquanut]

Today I was told engineer gobies eat hermits and snails?? Online posts are mixed on this.

Not sure if Gregg is the exception to the rule, but I often see him and one of my peppermint shrimp poking their heads out of the same hole at dinner time. I also have a plethora of snails.

 

[najer]

Mine is about 12 inches now and I have clown gobies, it never bothers anything.

 

[Wandering Albatross]

I wouldn't worry too much about an engineer goby eating other fish. Mine is over 3 years old and very shy. Even my smallest fish can send this 12+'' guy back into his lair.

I might be concerned about compatibility with other sand shifting gobies. Engineers move an insane amount of sand. Mine is constantly closing off old tunnels and opening new ones. I can't imagine that a goby, or goby shrimp pair would ever be able to build a home with this guy around.

I’m looking at adding a pair to my semi aggressive, with my smallest inhabitant being purple firefish. You’re saying they should be fine, considering my dartfish hide at sand level in under-rock burrows too?

Also, would they be problematic with a melanurus, considering I expect him to sleep in the sand?

 

[Auquanut]

I kept my engineer gobies with a melanaurus wrasse that got about 5 inches long. Never had any problems. I assumed that he retired to a different part of the sand bed every night. I don't have any real experience with firefish. I guess if they dig out a permanent burrow to inhabit, the engineers could be pretty irritating to the firefish. If it were me, I would probably go ahead. I think ultimately, they would work it out. But that's just me.