Gobies in a Nano?

[naesco]

Originally Posted by Josh23

I have a 24 gallon nano cube, bare bottom at the moment as I don't like the look of dirty sand however I prefer the look of a clean sand to that of bare bottom. My question is if I add sand is there enough sand to support a gobie?

Currenlty the tank only holds a clown, damsel & dottyback.

Thoughts?

The problem you have is the dottyback is really aggressive and you do not have a working sand bed. The purpose of the sand bed is to cultivate all the critters (and it takes a few months) that the gobies like to eat.
They are shy eaters and the fish will eat all the food before it gets to the bottom unless you go to the trouble of target feeding it.
The twin spot's meal is filament algae and is tough to keep alive.
One of the clown gobies would look good together with any other goby that is not a bottom feeder.
see www.wetwebmedia.com

[ElGuappo]

noticed randles and hectors will sift a little. my hectors didnt last long but noticed he liked sifting . i have seen hectors sifting in petshops.

[lorenz0]

i have a yellow watchmans in my 10 and he is happy. creeps on me all the time. but he is moving into the 60gal once it is up and running

[Josh23]

I added sand this past week and will allow it to generate life over the next couple months if need be. I'm also willing to target feed. I would prefer a sand sifter goby to ensure the sandbed remains clean.

Do clown gobies sand sift? I don't recall.

If not then what should I look for?

[naesco]

I keep two. No they sit in coral heads near the top of the tank. They aggressively eat mysis when feed.
They are a very endearing fish to keep. They are so interesting to watch and are very active.

Because the fish is very small they suffer from shipment and are often emaciated in the lfs so see them eat there and feed it often immediately when you place it in your tank so it builds itself up.
Let your sand bed mature with all sorts of critters and than add a bottom dwelling goby.

[Josh23]

Thanks guys but I'm really looking for a sand sifting fish, goby or jawfish to keep my sand bed clean. Any other suggestions.

[Josh23]

what about an orange spotted goby, or is 24 gallons to small?