YWG sand bed depth question

[ZachariahBeanzz]

Hey, I was at my LFS recently looking into fish options for my 20-gallon Innovative Marine tank, and someone there recommended a yellow watchman goby. I mentioned that I only have a shallow sand bed, around 1 to 1.5 inches, and they said it should be fine as long as I don’t pair it with a pistol shrimp. I was still a bit unsure since I know yellow watchman gobies like to burrow, even without a shrimp partner. I haven’t done much research on them yet, so I was wondering if they can still do well in a tank with a shallow sand bed. Thanks!

 

[jabberwock]

I would go for it. I would add a pistol shrimp too, as long as you don't mind your sand getting rearranged...

 

[DD Corals]

I have my sandbed like a 1.5-2" I believe. Or well it depends on the spot since they love to dig all over my tank. I have a pistol shrimp paired up with him so the watchman goby stands guard while the pistol shrimp likes to dig.

 

[ZachariahBeanzz]

I would go for it. I would add a pistol shrimp too, as long as you don't mind your sand getting rearranged...

I’d love to keep a pistol shrimp, but I’m planning to have a lot of coral near or on the sand and don’t want them getting buried. My aquascape is also more minimal, though I do have one larger cave/overhang. Do you think that would still work? From what I’ve seen, they seem to like having places to hide.

 

[jabberwock]

I’d love to keep a pistol shrimp, but I’m planning to have a lot of coral near or on the sand and don’t want them getting buried. My aquascape is also more minimal, though I do have one larger cave/overhang. Do you think that would still work? From what I’ve seen, they seem to like having places to hide.

A pistol shrimp will drive you nuts moving your corals on the sand bed...

 

[ZachariahBeanzz]

A pistol shrimp will drive you nuts moving your corals on the sand bed...

Yeah I’ve heard a couple stories about it being annoying. And, sorry, I don’t think I made it clear, but after saying I would love a pistol shrimp, I was talking about the watchmen goby, asking if it would still work in my scape

 

[jabberwock]

Yeah I’ve heard a couple stories about it being annoying. And, sorry, I don’t think I made it clear, but after saying I would love a pistol shrimp, I was talking about the watchmen goby, asking if it would still work in my scape

A YWG by itself should be fine.