Engineer or Convict Goby
From ReefPedia
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[edit] Engineer or Convict GobyScientific Name Pholidichthys leucotaenia Max. Size: I have a pair about 10-12". I've read they can reach 18" in captivity. Tank Size: 90g or larger Aggression: They appear to be a remarkably passive fish for their size. They will actively go after food items, but do not appear to want to fight over anything. They are peaceful toward other fish both large and small. Hardiness: Engineers appear to be extremely hardy and able to tolerate a wide range of water conditions. Reef-Safe: Yes Available as captive-bred: Yes |
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Physical Description
Scaleless, very eel-like body and undulating swimming motion.
Distribution
Philippines
Taxonomic Stuff you know you Care About
- Family: Pholidichthyidae
- Genus: Pholidichthys
- Species: Pholidichthys leucotaenia
Behavior
Often they will hide in holes they dig under the rockwork. For the most part they seem very passive, and always watching curiously (or perhaps hungry). I've had a pair for about 2 years, and at about a year old nearing maturity they could often be seen swimming quickly back and forth full length of the tank. I do not know if they were agitated, mating or what, but a year later I seldom see them doing that any more. More often now they come out to about full body length at feeding time, and quickly retreat (backwards). ... and they dig dig dig dig dig. If you want your sand-bed turned over they are the fish for you.
Feeding
They are not shy eaters, and will compete openly at feeding time. Often darting to the food quickly and then backing into their hideaways. They appear to eat everything from meaty fish-goo, flakes, pellets, and I've even seen them tear nori from a clip. The pair I have cohabitate with small peppermint shrink and very small neon gobies, and do not appear interested in eating them.
Breeding
Reportedly successful in captivity
Social Structure
I have a pair and they are often found chumming together, I have also read they they prefer to be in social groups of 3-5
Current Views
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Additional Notes
You really need to make sure that your rockwork is securely placed on supports or directly on the tank bottom. Engineer gobies are very good at tunneling and digging sand out from under rocks. Anything placed directly on the sand will soon be sunken into it, and often have sand piles on top of it. I believe also that keeping such fish in a bare-bottom tank would be stressful to them. In my observations, they are content to move sand around the tank often. They will also move small shells and rubble around to make piles and walls. The Engineer gobies that I have had for nearly two years are at once my favorite and least favorite fish. Their digging activity is interesting and entertaining and I have a new lower aquascape every week, but the need to rescue buried corals can be trying at times.
