bumblebee gobies

[AthagaMor]

unknowingly (which is the first mistake) I bought a b.gobie, a spotted raphael/talking catfish, and a hong kong pleco for my new tank (38g). I bought them to just have a few fish in the tank while the tank finishes up its initial cycling (which I've head is usually a good idea).

Unfortunately, I knew nothing about the fish I bought - spontaneous buying amatuer me... The pleco died - I think form stress, unsure. So I went and traded him in for four more b.gobies. (my second mistake)

I'm kind of caught in a tough spot now...

---My catfish (~3.5") could possibly chomp the little, airbladder-lacking/ground sleeping gobies. This worries me.

---The gobies are brackish fish from what I've read (though I've read they 'can' be kept in freshwater).

---The smaller gobies of the five seem to be doing poorly. 1 died yesterday and one looks to be on its deathbed this morning. The two largest are swimming around and look to be having fun. they been in the upper 8" of the tank whenever the light has been on.

---I can't get them to eat (tried flakes, tubiflex, and frozen shrimp ground up).

I'm a little lost as what to do... the gobies aren't that expensive ($1.79 ea.) and I'm thinking I'm just going to let the tank run its course for right now. I don't think I can take the live fish back... on the otherhand I hate to see any more die - they're really cute.

any suggestions???

 

[MonoSebaelover]

They are technically a brackish water fish and there is a chance of the Rapheal eating one but will soon spit it back out as they are pretty noxious to other fish. For feeding try live brine, frozen brine or frozen bloodworms (the Hikari brand is best) and this should work for now, but hopefully you learned to research fish here or on the internet or in a book before buying, right? Anyway, hope this helps and good luck.

 

[elgecko]

They do perfer barckish tanks. I fed mine frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp. Also live brine shrimp.

Here's a page I made on them
http://www.geocities.com/elgecko1989/bumble.html

 

[egoz]

Where (or how) does one get live food ? I have 5 bumblebee gobies and have been feeding them frozen daphnia and shrimp, which they like, but i'd like to vary the diet a bit more. I've also tried tubifex, but they didn't seem to like it and/or the segment were too long.