How do I find my lost goby?

[Sharkbait19]

So after three weeks in QT, I decided to introduce my Aurora goby into the reef tank. It immediately got scared, darted into a cave, and hung out there. About an hour later, I saw it back into the cave. He’s been gone without a trace since. I know that hiding is what gobies are notorious for, but I was hoping if there was a way to coax him back out. I’m almost worried that the tiger pistol killed it. Any thoughts?

 

[Tired]

If there are absolutely no gaps in the lid, it's still in the tank. Granted, it might not be alive. If you have an AIO tank, look in the filter compartment. Otherwise, there's not much you can do.

Make sure to put food around the area where you think the goby could possibly be.

Can you see the pistol's burrow entrances? Check those.

 

[GHOSTLY]

I find shovels help dig up sand

 

[GHOSTLY]

In all seriousness make a diy fish trap

 

[Sharkbait19]

If there are absolutely no gaps in the lid, it's still in the tank. Granted, it might not be alive. If you have an AIO tank, look in the filter compartment. Otherwise, there's not much you can do.

Make sure to put food around the area where you think the goby could possibly be.

Can you see the pistol's burrow entrances? Check those.

Funny you should mention going into the filter...I had a firefish do that. Doesn’t look like he is in there, just lots of sand and spiroboids.
I’ll try dropping food by the entrance to where I last saw him. Pistol cave entrances have no one (at least the visible ones). There is a hole for the feeding hatch, but no fish anywhere near outside.

In all seriousness make a diy fish trap

How should I go about it? Not much room in the tank for a soda bottle.

 

[9975]

Leave it alone. You're just going to make it worse. They will do what they want when they want

 

[katonge]

I had a dottyback disappear for months in my Evo 13.5. Of course I assumed he was dead until we moved the tank to another room & I spotted him in the slot with the return pump.

 

[Sharkbait19]

I introduced him away from the pistol shrimp because I wanted to give him some space at first. In hindsight I should have put him right by the shrimp’s cave…

 

[Apollo7235]

I introduced him away from the pistol shrimp because I wanted to give him some space at first. In hindsight I should have put him right by the shrimp’s cave…

Once they find eachother and if they pair, they usually become much more confident and you should see them quite a bit unless something harasses them.

Thats the story I was told and the same story I experienced with mine. Hopefully it’s the same for you! Good luck!

 

[Tired]

Don't trap it out, you'll just stress it. You can try checking at night, with a red filter over your flashlight lens so as not to scare the fish.

If you need to trap a fish, you can use a small water bottle, as long as it'll fit through the... drinking hole? Top? Whatever that bit is called.

(Edit: mouth? Rim? Opening?)

 

[Sharkbait19]

Are these guys nocturnal? Would I have a better shot at finding it when it’s dark out?

 

[Tired]

Some fish are more confident after dark. It's worth a shot.

It's also fun to check your tank at night to see if there are any worms or other interesting critters out.

 

[Jupiter]

So after three weeks in QT, I decided to introduce my Aurora goby into the reef tank. It immediately got scared, darted into a cave, and hung out there. About an hour later, I saw it back into the cave. He’s been gone without a trace since. I know that hiding is what gobies are notorious for, but I was hoping if there was a way to coax him back out. I’m almost worried that the tiger pistol killed it. Any thoughts?

 

[Jupiter]

I'm not familiar with tiger pistol, but I do know that, in an aquarium environment, we must be careful about the fish we buy. I have a pair of clowns, a pair of domino damsels, a scovis tang and a yellow tang. Not a specatular display tank, but the fish get along and the corals are living. Sharkbait, I hope your goby is hiding and not killed.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Great news! I found him peeking out of a hole this morning. He got scared when he saw me and darted away. He isn’t paired with the shrimp yet, but at least he’s alive.

 

[Tired]

Ah, excellent! Just keep him fed, and he should find the shrimp eventually, and hopefully warm up to you.

 

[Sharkbait19]

I got a picture!

 

[Tired]

Hey, that's a live fish right there! Cute spot, too.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Yup! He’s right in the middle of the Xenia garden!

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

Put signs up around the neighborhood with a pic and your phone number. If you’re really motivated, offer a reward.