Watchmen goby buried his partner?

[benthic pelagic]

Hi! I have two watchmen gobies. I bought a tank and they were living in it. I don’t have much information on the history of the gobies but one day one of them went missing. Really sad I thought it died and looked for it and I could not find it. It’s been several days. The one that was left had been swimming around moving sand like normal. Then tonight the other gobie is ALIVE! Apparently it was buried? It came out for a bit and now the little cave is closed again and I cannot find the other goby. Is this normal? Has anyone else had this happen? Maybe they have eggs? I don’t understand what’s going on.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Its normal for watchmen gobies will create a burrow under a rock to live in (is that what you mean by 'buried itself in the sand'?), some of them can be particularly shy and stay hidden for long periods of time.

 

[benthic pelagic]

Thanks for your reply!

My goby buried his mate (another goby) in the sand. I thought it was dead, but it showed up a couple days later. I watched the goby then bury his mate again later that night. I’m wondering if anyone else has had this experience? I’m wondering if maybe there are eggs?

 

[benthic pelagic]

Thanks for your reply!

My goby buried his mate (another goby) in the sand. I thought it was dead, but it showed up a couple days later. I watched the goby then bury his mate again later that night. I’m wondering if anyone else has had this experience? I’m wondering if maybe there are eggs?

Sorry yes they made a den under a rock. That’s what I meant by bury in the sand! Lol

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

The goby will sometimes 'close the door' to the burrow by covering it with sand, then moving the sand to get back in. It is to stop intruders from discovering and entering the borrow. They do this when they are mated or when they have shrimp mates. Thats very cool to witness and good on you to notice,