Tiger Watchman Goby

[reefnoob]

Anyone have this fish before? Easy to keep? They sift sand right? Would some sand particles be too big for them? Because I think my sand could be a little on the bigger side.

 

[ErinCahir]

Any watchman goby is a sandsifter.
What kind of sand do you have?

 

[reefnoob]

I'm not sure... Don't remember, and I threw the bag away. Just by eyeballing it, it looks like the particles range from less than a millimeter to up to 3 or 4 millimeters. Most of it is around 1 millimeter or less I would say.

 

[reefnoob]

Wouldn't they know if the sand is too big for them to sift or dig around in? I'm afraid that it might injure itself.

 

[AnthonyTheNewbie]

I have a diamond watchmen and I have Argonite sand in my tank, he sifts it with no problem. Matter of fact, the little punk loves to take mouthfuls and try to pour them on other fish/hermits. It's slightly amusing to watch how devious he can be :P

 

[reefnoob]

Yeah well I don't remember what type of sand I have, and I think the particles might be too big. I'm worried that the sand will scratch the gills or other parts of the fish while they are sifting.

 

[AnthonyTheNewbie]

I saw a goby sifting a mixture of sand + crushed coral earlier today at a petco. Not sure how safe it was for the fish, but he didn't seem to be having any trouble doing it. (The coral was fairly small pieces)

 

[reefnoob]

About how small?

 

[AnthonyTheNewbie]

Roughly the size of a grain of rice? Maybe slightly smaller, but not much.

 

[reefnoob]

OK thanks.