Gobies Losing Splotches of Coloration?

[VKP01]

So! Both of my gobies (yasha hase and black high-fin) have developed what looks like spots that are missing color. It doesn’t look like a wound, but splotches that no longer have color. Both of them developed this last week. I’ve had the yasha for roughly four years, and the other for less than a year.

My parameters are:

Temp: 75.5f
Salinity: 0.025 SG
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: >5ppm

I feed New Life Spectrum probiotix, and LRS frozen food. Thanks in advance!

 

[Highgrade]

Most burrowing gobies colors can change under certain conditions or stress. It also could be possible from rubbing on substrate/rubble in their burrow.

 

[VKP01]

Most burrowing gobies colors can change under certain conditions or stress. It also could be possible from rubbing on substrate/rubble in their burrow.

Thanks . I kinda thought that, but it seemed odd for them both to get it at the same time, especially after I’ve had the yasha for so long ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[VKP01]

Most burrowing gobies colors can change under certain conditions or stress. It also could be possible from rubbing on substrate/rubble in their burrow.

Thanks . I kinda thought that, but it seemed odd for them both to get it at the same time, especially after I’ve had the yasha for so long ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[ngoodermuth]

Do they ever “challenge” each other? Could be nipping?

 

[VKP01]

Do they ever “challenge” each other? Could be nipping?

Nope! They live together and are generally peaceful. I have seen them a few times open their mouth really wide in aggression when the other steals their food, but never actually nipping. The yasha has lost chunks of color from his fins (bottom picture) without any other visible damage, and I believe that would show signs of tearing instead of loss of color if it were damaged?

 

[VKP01]

I may have found the culprit. One of my pistols has eggs and is very grumpy. She’s started taking it out on the gobies, pushing them around and pinching. Someone needs a chill pill.

 

[VKP01]

The spots where the yasha lost color are starting to fill in with black. He’s always had some black speckles, so I think this is just an aesthetic thing, as opposed to some infection or disease