Shy Goby

kiwis · May 19, 2019

I've put a new Goby in my tank, it's a friendly home with some clowns and damsels... okay one dottyback who may need to be rehomed.

The goby went straight under a rock and i can just see it's head popping out.

Anything I can do to help settle it in? worried if it doesn't come out it'll go hungry and die.

Mjrenz · May 19, 2019

That's common with a lot of gobies, my golden head disappeared for about 3 days when I first introduced him but he's doing fine. What kind of goby do you have, how long has your tank been set up, size, etc? If it's not an established tank with enough food available they can starve

Hemmdog · May 19, 2019

What type of goby?

John Neuzil · May 19, 2019

Damsels are not friendly for long.

kiwis · May 19, 2019

Mjrenz said:
That's common with a lot of gobies, my golden head disappeared for about 3 days when I first introduced him but he's doing fine. What kind of goby do you have, how long has your tank been set up, size, etc? If it's not an established tank with enough food available they can starve

Hemmdog said:
What type of goby?

Not exactly sure on the type. Has an organge maybe yellow head otherwise whiteish body about 1-1/2 long.

The system is about a year old.

jrill said:
Damsels are not friendly for long.

That's super relevant to my question

Jesterrace · May 19, 2019

kiwis said:
I've put a new Goby in my tank, it's a friendly home with some clowns and damsels... okay one dottyback who may need to be rehomed.

The goby went straight under a rock and i can just see it's head popping out.

Anything I can do to help settle it in? worried if it doesn't come out it'll go hungry and die.

I'd hardly call a tank loaded with Damsels (clowns included) and a Dottyback friendly. All of them are assertive/territorial to some degree. Either way though this is normal new behavior for a Goby. Both of my Diamond Watchman Gobies did this for a few days before coming out and joining the rest of the tank. It's how they establish their safe spot/home/burrow.