Mudskippers

[Rythic]

I have an empty 30 gallon long that I want to turn into a Mudskipper tank. How many can I house in this size of tank? Also I was thinking of getting either fiddler crabs or red clawed crabs to go in as well and of course other fish swimming in the water area. Would this be ideal or should I just stick with mudskippers. Which fish would be the best tank mates for the skipper and crabs.

Thanks! :thm:

 

[jackiomy]

It depends on what kind of mudskippers they are. The Indians are a lot more agreeable and social so you can keep a few together. (see Mokomon's threads)
With Africans I wouldn't keep more than two. They are very territorial and it is really easy to have a dominant that will terrorize the other one and end up eating all the food. My guys get along okay in a 20 long but I would definately not keep ANYTHING else with them.

Here is my setup.

 

[Arakkis]

usually crabs get eaten.. might be able to have 4eyes or maybe archerfish in the water section...

 

[Sploke]

I wouldn't keep archers in a 30gal...looking at a 10" fish at full grown. I would really only keep one african/atlantic in a 30. I've never tried keeping multiples of them but I've heard that they can be very aggressive. If you go with indians, I would get maybe a group of six. One thing I advocate with skipper tanks is, use as much water volume as you can. I'm a big fan of above-the-tank ramps and basking/haul out areas to really utilize the full volume of the tank for swimming space and improved water quality.

 

[jackiomy]

I wouldn't keep archers in a 30gal...looking at a 10" fish at full grown. I would really only keep one african/atlantic in a 30. I've never tried keeping multiples of them but I've heard that they can be very aggressive. If you go with indians, I would get maybe a group of six. One thing I advocate with skipper tanks is, use as much water volume as you can. I'm a big fan of above-the-tank ramps and basking/haul out areas to really utilize the full volume of the tank for swimming space and improved water quality.

Sploke,
Mine have started digging burrows in the sand. The only time I see them in the water is first thing in the morning. All the rest of the time they are in the burrow or on top of the driftwood. It seems to be working alright for my two. Maybe I ended up with a female after all.

 

[Gobioides]

I wouldn't keep the common Africans in just a 30 gal. Archers and four-eyed fish would be too big too. Go with Indian dwarves.

Jackiomy, do your skippers' burrows hold? What kind of sand is it? They breed in burrows, so it would be nice to know what kind of sand they can dig in without it collapsing.

 

[jackiomy]

I wouldn't keep the common Africans in just a 30 gal. Archers and four-eyed fish would be too big too. Go with Indian dwarves.

Jackiomy, do your skippers' burrows hold? What kind of sand is it? They breed in burrows, so it would be nice to know what kind of sand they can dig in without it collapsing.

I just have regular playsand. I haven't stuck my hand in there to see if it holds or they just dig it out every time. I didn't realize that they had teeth before and now I am scared when they lunge at me even though I know they just want food. Someone suggested to put a pvc elbow buried in the sand so it would stay open but I haven't tried it yet.
I would definately go with Indians if I had it to do all over again. When I started out, even with research, I ended up with 2 Africans. The weird thing is when I go and visit the rest of the group that are left at the LFS they are only about a third of the size of my guys at home. I feel guilty for leaving the poor things there where I feel they are not feeding them properly.