Hard Time Feeding Blue Cheeked Goby

[bassmaster]

Well the title pretty much explains itself. I've been trying to feed my new goby, but like all gobys, it takes off into it's hole the moment it sees my hand. So I put food near it's hole, hoping it will come out. Unfortunately either my clown fish, damsels, or one of my two shrimp always get to it first.
Are there any special techniques to feeding this guy? I know he's a sifter, but still, I want his diet better then just little bacteria or whatever is in the sand.
And one more thing, off subject but, Does anybody think that 2 damsels, a clown, the goby, and 2 shrimp is too much for a 25 gallon tank?

 

[bassmaster]

Hello?
Awnsers would be appreciated. Cuz I know that some of you have the same fish, and have to have (or have had) the same problem.

 

[musipilot]

I can't really help you in this specific situation with that specific fish, but a general suggestion may help.
Whenever you try to feed a critter like you're describing, the best technique I have found is a feeding stick. Get a package (1.79) of wooden shish kabob skewers, and tape them together to make them as long as you need. Place the food on one end, and wiggle it by the fish you want to feed. I've never seen a creature able to ignore it, and it won't get stolen by your other fish. I have a scopus tang that I have to whack with the thing to get food to my shrimps sometimes, he doesn't seem to care, but it works!