Im Confused.....bee And Dragon?

[danny101]

Hi Everyone,

Originally i wanted violet gobys for my new tank but because it's only 45+ gal (uk) i changed my mind and set my mind on bumblebee's!

However after continuing my research i discovered that the bumblebee goby is actually quite an ideal partner for the dragon as they eat the same food!! there wouldnt be much competition!!!!

Can anyone tell me if i can have both in my soon to arrive 200L corner tank??

Bear in mind i can upgrade once the dragons got much bigger.

Someone please give me the good news as i want both!!
or ?

 

[diademhill]

Hi Everyone,

Originally i wanted violet gobys for my new tank but because it's only 45+ gal (uk) i changed my mind and set my mind on bumblebee's!

However after continuing my research i discovered that the bumblebee goby is actually quite an ideal partner for the dragon as they eat the same food!! there wouldnt be much competition!!!!

Can anyone tell me if i can have both in my soon to arrive 200L corner tank??

Bear in mind i can upgrade once the dragons got much bigger.

Someone please give me the good news as i want both!!
or ?

If the tank is a Trigon 190 it isn't big enough for dragon gobies - if you really want a dragon goby why not start with a large enough tank?

 

[danny101]

There is a 320 gal tank ive seen, but ive already got a long tank and havent got room for a 5 ft tank also!

Ive gone for a corner tank because ive got a free corner!

I just keep reading different things regarding tank sizes for VG's.

So i thought id ask someone who has experience with them because upgrading wouldnt be a problem in the future depending on how long it takes for them to grow.

Thats why i keep asking questions, If i did get them i would want whats best for them. if its not big enough its not big enough! i might just have to knock down a wall or something!

But thanks for your input it is appreciated.

 

[nmonks]

The issue with violet gobies isn't so much size (though they can get quite big) but territoriality: these fish will fight with one another if crowded. Not to the point of hurting one another, but certainly they will be stressed if forced to threaten others or defend themselves constantly.

A tank about 120 cm long (equivalent of a 55 US gallon tank) should be fine for one or two specimens. Use lengths of PVC tubing to create burrows for each fish.

Also check which species is being sold. In the UK, Gobioides peruvianus seems to be quite widely sold as the violet goby. It is very distinctive: more or less entirely light, metallic grey except for a few weak bands on the front half of the body. These bands only go about halfway down the flanks. The eyes are small and on the side of the head. This species 'only' reaches 25 cm in captivity. I attach a picture below.

Gobioides broussonnetii is larger (50 cm) and has zebra-like bands that are bold and much darker. They also run further along the body and are especially obvious on the head. The fish is a much darker and vaguely blue or violet in colour. The eyes are on the top of the head, and stick slightly above the level of the head -- a "bug eyed" appearance rather like a mudskipper.

Importers seem to muddle these two species constantly, and perhaps even a third species, Gobioides grahamae which resembles Gobioides peruvianus in size (less than 20 cm) and colour (light grey). Some of the confusion about the size of "violet gobies" and how fast they grow and how much space they need undeniably comes from people keeping all three species but not being aware of that fact. Obviously smaller species would not need so much room as larger ones.

I'd strongly recommend you visiting the Yahoo goby group, as that is perhaps the best single place to get goby information from experienced aquarists and scientists. There is also some good information in the Aqualog brackish water fishes book.

Cheers,

Neale

 

[danny101]

That info is a great help and gives me some hope, i'll give yahoo a look.

Thanks again neale

*looking at the pic you can understand why i want a specimin!