Neon Goby Quarantine troubles

[becky_e]

I have 2 neon gobies in a 20 gallon quarantine tank. It does seem a bit of an overkill size-wise, but that's not the problem. The larger goby claimed the whole tank and terrorizes the little goby whenever he makes an appearance. The little goby hides in the 1 CM space above the powerhead. The fish can't jump out, but I'm worried that a stressful quarantine will be bad for the little guy. I already plan on moving him to the show tank before the larger goby so he can get established. There is plenty of LR in the 45gal, it's a reef tank, so I'm sure they can each make their own territories. I was wondering when the earliest I should attempt this is. I was originally planning to leave them in quarantine for 4 weeks minimum, but they've only been in the tank since Sunday evening (4 days now,) and things look bad for the little guy. He's active above the powerhead, but he can't come out without being attacked. I'd love some help with this.

 

[OrionGirl]

Could you divide the tank? A clear plastic divider that allowed the to see each other but not get to each other should help--and get the larger goby used to sharing the space with the smaller one. I'd try that first.

 

[Cearbhaill]

How about adding a couple more to distribute the aggression around a bit?
I have kept six together through a full quarantine and months now in the display and haven't yet seen any bullying.

 

[becky_e]

Do you think one of those floating fry holders that are for FW livebearers would work? I don't have a divider and I'm not good at making things like that, but maybe I can find one at our LFS. I'll try that first. The worst part was that these two fish were together at the LFS, they've been tank mates for a while now!

 

[becky_e]

How about adding a couple more to distribute the aggression around a bit?
I have kept six together through a full quarantine and months now in the display and haven't yet seen any bullying.

Well, I bought all of the ones they had at the LFS and that's really all the fish stuff I can afford this month. I also don't know how many neon gobies I can have without being overstocked. I have 2 pajama cardinalfish, 1 yellow watchman goby (also in quarantine,) and the 2 neon gobies. I plan on getting a royal gramma and a clownfish in a little while. The tank is a 45 gal. reef (9 corals so far.) I don't want to overstock it. Do you think I can reasonably have more neon gobies? They are very little.

 

[Cearbhaill]

I don't want to comment too much on stocking as there are so many different opinions- but I think 1 or 2 more would be fine. They are very small with little body mass and don't live more than 2 years anyway.

 

[becky_e]

Well, thanks for the advice, I'll think about getting one more if there are any left in town. If not I'll try separating them one way or another. They are so cute, I want all of them to do well.

 

[Max]

You might try puttins some clean plastic pots in the tank to. They are cheap easy to clean and will give your guys a place to take a break if they need it.

 

[becky_e]

Well I have PVC pipes in the q-tank for them to hide in. The big one sits on the pipes and if the little one approaches, he gets his butt kicked. It was brutal last night when I fed them