Marbled Goby

[kniesh]

Hi guys I have just bought a smallish (3.5-4") marbled goby but I cant find much info on them can anyone help? Anyone ever kept them? It will be going in a 90gal 4'x2'x1.5' with 6 Silver Dollars and some Cichlids about 6-8", Diremouth, Convict etc. Does this sound ok or is it going to outgrow this set up, if so how long do you think it will take to grow to full size? Thx in advance.

Oh I am looking to buy the fish at about 2-3" aswell, will this cause a problem. He has already been eating frozen blood worms and prawns so he is accepting dead food.

 

[Fruitbat]

Unfortunately there are a number of fish that go under the nickname 'Marbled Goby' but the one that usually has that name is Oxyeleotris marmorata. At 3.5-4 inches, your Marbled Goby, if you do indeed have O. marmorata, is certainly a youngster. Adult fish can eventually reach over 2 feet in the wild and 16-18 inches is certainly not unheard of in captivity. Like most of its kind, the Marbled Goby is a true glutton and will devour fish of significant size with ease. Their diet pretty much includes anything 'meaty' and they're normally not particularly hard to feed. Adults tend to be 'logs with fins' (relatively inactive except at feeding time when their speed will surprise you and their prey item) but juveniles are often more active and can be fin-nippers. They grow fairly quickly (depending, of course, on how much they eat and the quality of their surroundings) when young but slow down as they reach their adult size. Eventually this fish will be a bit large for your 90 gallon but since it is relatively inactive you may be able to get away with it (though a bigger tank would be better). The other fish you mentioned might be a bit much for your goby to eat (though it may give it a try with fatal results).

-Joe

 

[kniesh]

Thx I have a pic seen as you seem to know an aweful lot about these could you please look and advise? I will post it now. Thx again.

http/i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/kniesh/tanks045.jpg

http/i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/kniesh/tanks044.jpg

 

[Fruitbat]

I'd say that what you have there is a fine, young specimen of Oxyeleotris marmorata, well on its way to the two foot range.

-Joe