Mystery Goby

[myenigmaself]

Can anyone tell me what kind of goby this is?? The LFS didn't know; they had gotten it as a trade-in. It's supposedly been living for several years very happily in brackish water. The previous owner said it readily accepted flake and frozen, but I've only been able to get him to eat frozen. That's pretty much all I know about him. Thanks!

-mk

 

[myenigmaself]

Might this be the clay goby referenced here and here? The description sounds right. And it sounds like maybe I should move the bumblebee gobies out of there?

Here's a picture from the second site:

 

[nmonks]

It could be Dormitator lebretonis, but other species in the genus are traded, including Dormitator maculatus. This latter is a gentle giant, but at up to 70 cm in length* it's sufficiently predatory to cause major problems in the average community tank. Dormitator maculatus used to be fairly commonly traded, and during the early 1990s you'd see them in many pet stores, often kept as a marine alongside groupers and lionfish.

There are links in my FAQ to the relevant Fishbase pages if you want to compare photos.

All the Dormitator species are omnivores, so it's important to offer them things like cooked peas as well as meaty foods. At the very least, brine shrimps and daphnia should be used, since these contain useful fibre that prevents constipation. Earthworms are good, too.

Cheers, Neale

*Typically about 30 cm in captivity though.

 

[myenigmaself]

Thanks again Neale! Based on the fishbase pictures I could literally flip a coin and choose either. He's not broad like the Dormitator maculatus picture, but also looks very different from the picture of the Dormitator lebretonis.

He's supposedly several years old and approximately 9cm in length.

Also, one other thing I noticed. I thought he'd been swimming around with his mouth open, but I think it's just his lips that look open. I got a good look inside when he was eating this morning and it looks like he's got some pretty impressive teeth (impressive for something that's only as big around as a marker). Does that help with identification at all?

Lastly, he's also swimming around a lot more. He tends to swim around the middle of the tank for a bit, then duck back into the pots, and repeat.

Based on his age and size I'm thinking lebretonis is more likely. But he does look a lot like the Dormitator maculatus here, only he's a bit browner.

Since it sounds like they both have a similar diet it doesn't mater too much. I just need to figure out if I need to get my bumblebee gobies out of there before they become a snack.

 

[nmonks]

The presence of large teeth don't really make it easy for me to tell which species this sleeper goby might be. I'd assume they're all pretty similar in this regard, to be honest.

They're all very good at changing their colours, so colouration isn't something you can really go by.

You could ask your retailer where they were imported from: if South America, they'll be one, if Africa, the other.

Cheers, Neale

 

[myenigmaself]

He was a trade in at the store. They said they literally knew nothing about him other than he had been living in brackish water and ate both frozen and flake food, and that they didn't even want to try and guess at a species. He was listed simply as "Goby."

I think tonight I'll move the bumblebee gobies just to be safe.

Thanks again Neale!

 

[Fella]

I kept a Dormitator Maculatus for some time and it was a fantastic personable fish. Always came to the front of the tank and would hand feed without hesitation.

 

[nmonks]

I'd agree.

One thing I'd mention, while Fishbase says they get to 70 cm, I have never, ever seen one nearly so big in the shops. The biggest specimen I've seen was about 25-30 cm, and mine was about 20 cm or so before I gave it away.

They are rather dozy looking fish, but their colours are interesting, and they do seem to be easy to tame.

Cheers, Neale

I kept a Dormitator Maculatus for some time and it was a fantastic personable fish. Always came to the front of the tank and would hand feed without hesitation.

 

[myenigmaself]

Over a year later and my mystery man is still staying strong. His fins never grew back, and his jaw is still stuck open and kinda crooked. When he eats he generally misses once or twice before actually catching his inanimate food I love this guy!