I read a few things about engineer gobys being pretty destructive. I plan on having a 32 gallon biocube with a pair of clownfish, a firefish goby, a engineer goby and a few snails(Nassarius of course). Would they all be peaceful with each other? I read on saltwaterfish.com that they are peaceful but I want to check here! I also plan of having a coral or two.
Engineer goby
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Waters
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They can get aggressive as they mature. They also are constant diggers and need a deeper sandbed and rock. The 32 gallon tank is probably too small as well unfortunately....they can get over a foot long.
nautical_nathaniel
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The "destruction" people talk about is the destruction of a uniform, flat sand bed. They will move sand constantly throughout the day, and sometimes even at night. I've had a few and they are really great fish as long as you have space for them.
I will also note that I have lost two of them to jumping. Like the eels they resemble, they will jump and somehow find the tiniest openings in your lid to squeeze through, so make sure your tank is well covered, even in the rear where cords and such come in.
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MaiReef
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I know mine for 5+ years is nice to fish, but dominates the rock work and clears all sand from underneath. Make sure your rocks are super stable. Not sure if it eats small shrimp. I had some peppermint shrimp disappear. Mine picks up just about anything to move including snails in the sand. Doesn't eat them, just moves them.
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Others have already said it but destructive is more aligned to rearranging your tank ;) Be it rock, corals not secured, or sand. Pretty fish but I'd say 32 gallons is too small for them. They get pretty large even in home aquariums. If you haven't search for some friendly videos and see what you think. I was considering a pair in my 210 gallon and decided against it.
I’m not thinking about filling my tank a lot and I’ll probably get a baby so it will take a while for it to reach full grown! I can probably trade it back in to my LFS and get a baby again if it gets to big!
nautical_nathaniel
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99% of engineer gobies sold at a LFS will be tiny and very affordable, so occasionally someone comes around that is looking for a bigger one which you could let the LFS owner know you have available, so in my mind at least this is a sound strategy for your setup. As long as you can verify it is going to a good home, everything should work out. They do take a long time to grow as well in smaller tanks.
I will add though that you need to be QT the little fellas since they are fairly prone to Ich and Velvet from what I've seen. You wouldn't want to bring the nasties into your established tank every time you get a baby Engineer Goby.
nautical_nathaniel
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For a baby engineer goby that would work well. Place some 1.5" or 2" PVC couplers in the tank as well for it to have something to hide in. Also make sure you have something covering this tank as well :)
Though for the quarantine I really don’t want to have to start and circulate ANOTHER tank and buy another filter, heater and all that. I also read that engineer gobys were disease resistant?
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