Court Jester Goby

[xxBarneyxx]

My LFS has a few of these in and from what I have read they are fairly easy to care for and reef safe (though some sites mention they may nip at SPS).

I have seen conflicting information on keeping these in groups though. Some sites say only to have 1 and others say to keep in groups of 5 or more. Anyone know what is actually best?

 

[CageUK]

Sorry Barney I can't answer for the Court Jester Goby specifically but there are a few fish species where this holds true.
Freshwater tropical angels for instance are really only suitable on their own or in a group of 6 or more. One on it's own is ok but when you introduce more there can be fin nipping and aggression between them. Once there is a group though the aggression is dissipated. Males in particular tend to bully other males unless in a group.

Wether it is the same for these gobies I couldn't say.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

hmm that could be the case actually and would explain the difference in suggested stocking levels.

 

[shibby]

i would just keep one.

court jester is amblygobius hectori isnt it?

 

[xxBarneyxx]

no its Amblygobius rainfordi

I would have liked to get a group because I have read that they are easy to get to spawn. Will have to keep digging and see what I can find out.

 

[SkiFletch]

The Court Jester Goby, aka Rainsford's Goby is not a fish suitable for aquaria IMO. I've never seen anyone able to keep one alive longterm and have only seen/read of a few successes with them. Their problem is a very dragonet-like one, food. They're exceptionally picky fish, usually only eating certain algaes and pods, both of which are extremely difficult to supply en-masse to a shy fish which is likely in a tank full of more boisterous tankmates. Once upon a time I tried one, not knowing the above, as an LFS (which I kind of trusted back then) told me they ate hair algae... Well it did not. The only thing I could get it to eat sometimes was glass scrapings. Poor little guy died in about a month Anyway, JMO, but I wouldn't keep one again.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Thanks guys.

I did a lot more reading on them and had come to a similar conclusion about the feeding (and for anyone that does try one a single specimen is probably the best bet). With no 'fuge and a drastically reduced pod population after moving everything over I will pass on these guys. Shame because its a pretty little fish.