Jaw fish or Goby?

[Bulldog71]

I have a 29 gallon Bio Cube and i was wondering should i get a yellow watchman goby or a pearl jaw fish? also what kid of clean up crew should i get? I have 22 pounds of live rock and my tank is still cycling so i am just in the information gathering stages regarding my fish.

Thanks

 

[bang guy]

The Jaw Fish are notorious for carpet surfing and require an area of fairly deep sand with some rock rubble in order to build a cave. They do not damage a live sand bed and are easy to feed.

The Watchman Goby also requires a den but does best with a Pistol Shrimp They are not difficult to feed but not as easy as the Jawfish.

If you do not have a fairly deep sand bed in some area of the tank or if the Jawfish can easily jump out of the tank then avoid the Jawfish.

\Edited - Sorry I was thinking Sand Sifting Goby.... if you read what I posted before - the Watchman will not destroy a live sand bed.

In my opinion you would be better off with the Watchman vs Jawfish. Even better with a Tiger Pistol Shrimp.

 

[Kristin1234]

I have a red and a purple firefish goby and they are just awesome.

Such beautiful colors and I just love them.

I know that wasn't your question but, yeah.

I've always liked a jawfish but I've never kept one.

 

[Bulldog71]

I do like the fire fish gobies they are very pretty! If I go with the watch man what does the pistol shrimp do, and can I have a pistol shrimp with a cleaner shrimp? Also what would you recommend for a sand cleaner or a CUC?

Sorry for the questions but I really want to get it right!!

 

[bang guy]

I doubt there is a "right" as long as you don't overstock or get too many predators.

The Pistol Shrimp will dig and maintain a cave for the Shrimp Goby. The Tiger Pistol is safe with the Cleaner Shrimp. Not true for all Pistol Shrimp though so check first. What species of Cleaner Shrimp are you considering?

For my situation I used Bristleworms, Cerith Snails and natural sand bed infauna to keep my sand healthy. It wasn't bright white but the critters kept it healthy and functional.

Sand sifters will destroy a sand beds functionality. The sand bed will be white though so perhaps in your situation that's what you're looking for. Beauty vs function is often at odds in a reef tank.

 

[jay0705]

I have a red and a purple firefish goby and they are just awesome.

Such beautiful colors and I just love them.

I know that wasn't your question but, yeah.

I've always liked a jawfish but I've never kept one.

Just to clarify miss texas lol fire fish are technically dart fish not gobies

 

[pegasus]

Just to clarify miss texas lol fire fish are technically dart fish not gobies

And they are jumpers, so a covered tank is a must.

 

[jay0705]

I've never had mine jump. My tanks are covered but rarely do they venture near the top. My red in my 56 does, but none of my purples

 

[Kristin1234]

Just to clarify miss texas lol fire fish are technically dart fish not gobies

Firefish dart fish gobies?

I've always thought they were gobies. Got that from liveaqauria.

 

[Kristin1234]

And they are jumpers, so a covered tank is a must.

Mines not covered and they seem to stay put. They like to hoover around the lower part of the tank.

 

[jay0705]

Firefish dart fish gobies?

I've always thought they were gobies. Got that from liveaqauria.

There is your first mistake lol. Dart fish are a species of fish. Different then gobys. Sorta like scooter blennys, there not blennys at all.

 

[bang guy]

Common name vs scientific classification. Common names are fine until you really want to know the details about your pet.

 

[pegasus]

Mines not covered and they seem to stay put. They like to hoover around the lower part of the tank.

You're lucky. The two I have remaining swim in the middle/upper part of the tank. The other three dove to their deaths behind the tank...