Neon Goby Compatibility

[DaytonaJoe]

Has anyone ever housed a neon goby with semi aggressive or aggressive species?

I have a small porcupine puffer who has had ich on and off pretty much since I got him. It has never affected his behavior as far as I can tell, but I'm sure it must bother him and it doesn't look very good. Can't treat puffers with copper, so that leaves me with few choices. I could do freshwater dips but I've only heard of limited success with this. Hyposalinity? I will do this if nothing else works. I have a bottle of Ich Attack, which is reef safe and I've actually heard success stories. But I still don't want to put things in my tank if it's not necessary.

I'm curious if I were to place my puffer in a refugium (to keep the goby away from my lionfish) with the goby whether they would be alright together or not. I'm aware that neon gobies don't always perform the cleaner function, but it's worth a shot and at least they eat prepared food and spawn in captivity, unlike cleaner wrasse. I want to hear from people who have actually owned neon gobies, and preferably those who have housed them with more aggressive fish if there are any.

I know what I personally expect: that the puffer will try to eat the goby. But I'm curious if anyone has tried this before to confirm my suspicions.

[jschulzpt]

My understanding with neon gobies is that they may be aggressive with others of the same species, but are compatable with fish of different species.

And yes I would also expect your puffer to try to eat the gobies, I have no experience to back this up.

[DaytonaJoe]

Originally Posted by jschulzpt

My understanding with neon gobies is that they may be aggressive with others of the same species, but are compatable with fish of different species.

And yes I would also expect your puffer to try to eat the gobies, I have no experience to back this up.

Yeah I am guessing that too, but who knows? And to clarify, I'm not worried about the goby bothering my fish so much as my puffer eating the goby haha

[Jadinop]

That's a good question and I'm curious to know what would happen. Many fish recognize the function that cleaners serve and they choose not to prey upon them. I'm not sure if your puffer would go after him or not. My neon goby is a good cleaner and will even try to clean my hand when it's in the tank.

[DaytonaJoe]

Originally Posted by Jadinop

That's a good question and I'm curious to know what would happen. Many fish recognize the function that cleaners serve and they choose not to prey upon them. I'm not sure if your puffer would go after him or not. My neon goby is a good cleaner and will even try to clean my hand when it's in the tank.

What size is your goby? When you purchased him? My puffer is in a tank with 3 blue damsels, and neither the puffer nor the lion try to eat them. But they can be mean little buggers. The damsels are not more than an inch and a half. Sometimes I'll see the puffer lazily pivot around like he wants to try to eat one, but then he just thinks "aw the hell with it" and resumes his lounging. I bet he couldn't catch one of the neon gobies if he tried.

[mcliffy2]

I have two of them - no super-aggressives, but a Mata tang, purple tang, bluechin trigger, regal angel, and emperor angel all get along fine with them (and will occasionally go in for a cleaning from them).

[Jadinop]

Originally Posted by DaytonaJoe

What size is your goby? When you purchased him?

Mine were the tiny aquacultured ones from ORA that you see occasionally. Maybe a little less than 3/4in. Have had them for maybe 2 years.

[DaytonaJoe]

Originally Posted by mcliffy2

I have two of them - no super-aggressives, but a Mata tang, purple tang, bluechin trigger, regal angel, and emperor angel all get along fine with them (and will occasionally go in for a cleaning from them).

The fact that you have them with a trigger is encouraging, even if it's a docile one.

Jadinop that's what I figured, I was hoping I could find some larger ones somewhere.

To you two or anyone else who owns one: how are they at swimming? Are they fast and agile like wrasses or are they typical gobies, not the best swimmers?