Knight goby caught my eye...

RoseFishWatcher

RoseFishWatcher

AC Members
Oct 31, 2006
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Colorado
Well... I'd never been much interested in a brackish water tank until today. Was wandering the LFS and the knight goby caught my eye.

So here's my thoughts and questions:

- how many knight gobies could I keep together? I've read everything from "territorial to other knights" to "schooling" (I doubt schooling is accurate, but I would like to keep more than one if possible)

- I was thinking a slightly brackish tank (the goby at the LFS was actually in a FW setup , and from what reading I've done they can be kept in either)

- would it be better to treat them as FW? I suspect not, but I would certainly make getting one more possible (in the near future at least)

- how large of a tank? I have a 20 gallon I hope to upgrade soon. This would probably influence the answer to "how many?"

- was thinking of possibly getting some glass fish (unpainted - I like mine clear!) It seems like (from what reading I've done, at least) that these would make good tankmates. Both relatively small, both doing well in lightly brackish water. Good idea?

- could I even have a proper school of glass fish in a 20? Or would this require a significant upgrade from keeping just a knight goby?


Does anyone have any experience with these fish or know of a good (trustworthy) resource on them?

Thanks a ton!
 
1) A 20-gallon tank would be plenty of space for a knight goby; you could probably get away with keeping 2 of them. I'd personally keep just one to make more room for other species, though.

2) While pet stores tend to keep them in freshwater, they do better in brackish conditions. A salinity of 1.005 will be enough. I actually acclimated mine over to full seawater.

3) Yes, the glassfish live in the same water parameters and are peaceful

4) With proper maintainence, you should be able to house a knight goby and 3 glass fish in 20 gallons. Anything more would be getting a bit crowded.
 
I think I have heard to get either 1 or many (many being 5 or more). They tend to squabble with one another but nothing bad, its probably good for them. I do beleive they prefer a sandy substrate, and will need some cave like hiding spots. Anything under 55g I would say just one, but if you have a 55 I'd say go for a group. Keep in mind they get to like 4" (if memory serves) and have rather large mouths for their size. Its been reported they will eat smaller bumblebee gobies.
 
I would keep a pair of them in there. It is fascinating to watch the interactions between the M&F & the little dances the male does for her, puffing out & displaying his stunning dorsal fin! I think my next article will be on this species.

You could keep 3 glassfish with the pair, IMO.
 
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