Sand Sifting Gobies: Are they worth keeping? Your Favorite?

[revhtree]

This week were going to be focusing on Gobies and Blennies! Today I wanted to start us off by beginning a discussion on Sand Sifting Gobies.

Sand Sifting Gobies plow through the tank substrate, sifting/straining algae, detritus and uneaten food from the sand. This not only removes unwanted nitrate producing substances, but it also stirs and aerates the substrate (very important for deep sand beds), releasing toxic gases - TheSprucePets

1. What's your experience with sand sifting gobies? (pros and cons)

2. What are your most favorite sand sifting gobies?

Yellow Watchman Goby image via @rboutin111

 

[Obsessed with fish]

I have no experience with them yet, but at some point I will get one, my favorite is probably the orange marked goby.

 

[cdw79]

(Assuming you're talking about shrimp gobies, like the Yellow Watchman, and not something like an Orange Spot Goby which doesn't typically create a cave) I have some experience with them, and bar a few quirks I and my guests love them. The symbiotic relationship between them is so fascinating to watch, and lots of my guests are drawn to them out of how unusual that relationship is. They also will ask what that loud popping sound is and are amazed to hear it is the pistol shrimp, so it's definitely been a draw to the tank. I also just love the digging behavior, so that's also a cool bonus.

The only thing I don't really love is keeping a check on their activities... I let mine settle in before I added corals in the area but I've heard several stories about smaller frags especially being buried if they're in or around the excavation site, and I've definitely found a few missing plugs as bricks in the shrimp's newest cave entrance... but with some gluing and/or a watchful eye it really isn't a problem. It's a unique bond that I think, tank setup allowing, should be a staple in most tanks!

As far as "actual" sand sifting gobies... not a fan lol. Always looking to bury corals, and I've read they're actually somewhat hard to keep

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

I bought a complete setup about a year ago that came with a redhead goby among other things. I probably would not buy one of these on my own, as they add more bio load and you don't see them super often but I have enjoyed having the little redhead, and I think it keeps my sand bed cleaner too!

 

[design.maddie]

I have mixed feelings. I think certain gobies can make great pets in most tanks they are housed in. I do NOT agree with how the industry pushes most gobies out as easy to care for beginner fish. These fish love to jump, can strip sand beds of life, then starve. Some can be so timid that any type of traffic near the tank will cause them to stay hidden and stressed, leading to possible early death. They are beautiful though and have lovely facial expressions. They can even seem to have spunky personalities. If you get one to pair with a shrimp then you will surely have a great eye candy in your tank.

 

[Toob]

Asks about sand sifting gobies but include a pic of a yellow watchman?

Anyway I have a Diamond Goby that is really interesting and does a nice job with the sand. Then I watched him eat my live baby Mandarin…now I don’t trust him.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

I love my decorated gobies (Istigobius decoratus). I have 1 in all my larger tanks. They sift sand, but do not carry it around when they sift. I thought the one in my 180 (first one I got) was a rarity, but decided to buy another for the nem tank, as the sand needed a little help. It did the same thing. Grabs a mouthful and sifts right there. Does not raise up and dump it, build mounds or anything. From there, I put one in the mangrove lagoon and then in my 90. Love them. They also hop up on the rocks and move all over the tank. They do not just stay at the sand, so makes it nice.

Quick shot of the one in my nem tank.

 

[CDB1883]

How could you say no??

 

[ReefRondo]

I miss them as I don't have sand now. Amazing animals.

 

[Enderg60]

If it stays on the bottom like a orange spot / diamond goby then, YES! They rock and do a good job.

If it swims in the open water like a yellow head goby, OH heck no! Stupid things will cover every inch of rock and coral with sand. I have never wanted to murder a fish so bad in my life.

 

[jazzfisher]

Yes some can be very messy, like the YWG & tiger pistol shrimp; mine got so big they now live in the LFS display tank.
I do have 2 pairs of Yasha Gobies/Randalls pistol pairs but I wouldn't consider them sand sifting even though they burrow. My twin spot signal goby is the perfect sand sifter-moves the sand but doesn't really throw alot. But they can be hard to keep if you don't have a mature sandbed. Mine also eats frozen.

 

[Quietman]

Sure...but only if the fish is pleasing anyway. I miss my YWG/shrimp pair and will replace next tank. I wouldn't get one just for specific sand sifting purposes. Even less likely if they're relying only sand sifted organisms for food. Just too much worry there with smaller tanks.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Definitely mixed feelings here. I haven’t had much luck keeping them past 6months. When my last died I was glad I did not have to catch it. Big fella was covering a lot of corals in sand. Normally not a problem but my tank was going through nutrient swings, so the added stress to my coral from the goby was frustrating to watch.

 

[blaxsun]

I'm also in the "hit and miss" column. I haven't had success keeping any long term, so it's just one of those fish I may perpetually struggle with.

 

[flashsmith]

No to sand sifters. Every one I've ever had has suffered the same fate. They seem to love the challenge of carpet surfing. Even with lids mine have found a way to end up crispy on the floor. Just lost a pearly jawfish yesterday that somehow jumped and got through the screen. I figured I would try once more when I got him and it didn't end well.

 

[907_Reefer]

Absolutely loved watching our Yellow Watchman and Pistol Shrimp combo in the last tank, will be adding another pair to the new tank we're starting to cycle this week once ready!

 

[Heuristic]

Don't know why anyone would dislike something like a shrimp goby, but could see people not liking things like a Diamond watchman goby as unless you get course sand, it'll fly all over your tank all day, thus agitating corals.

Here's mine. Love watching him and the Tiger Pistol Shrimp work together, so do the kids.

 

[GillMeister]

Pro: They're the best at keeping the substrate clean. I wouldn't have a tank without one.
Con: They like to surf the carpet.

 

[rmcrom]

I have a pink spotted watchman goby. I like him.

 

[Llyod276]

Wouldn't know had one for all of 2 days before it disappeared.