rainford/court jester goby in a bare bottom tank?

[duckman]

So I got a Rainford Goby and currently have it in a bare bottom tank. I believe rainford/court jester goby are free swimming and doesn't require sand bed. So is it safe to say that he will be happy in a barebottom? I could probably add sand if need be though I would prefer not to unless I need to to avoid major changes to the tank.

 

[blaxsun]

Says they do like/need fine sand.

 

[MaxM]

Mine is never in the sand but it likes sifting the sand for food. You could put in a bowl with sand and make sure some of the food settles there. It likes plenty of rockwork for picking at too.

 

[i cant think]

So I got a Rainford Goby and currently have it in a bare bottom tank. I believe rainford/court jester goby are free swimming and doesn't require sand bed. So is it safe to say that he will be happy in a barebottom? I could probably add sand if need be though I would prefer not to unless I need to to avoid major changes to the tank.

It’s likely they will starve without sand, this is where most of their nutrients come from (frozen/pellets rarely give them enough nutrition unless it’s fed 4-5x a day).

They do also use the sandbed to make their caves, here was mine that I had a year or so ago, he used rubble and sand to form his cave.

 

[kbnh]

I bought one in April and haven’t seen it since a week after I put it in the tank, hoping it’s still alive and just really good at hiding. Tank has plenty of sand and rock.