Engineer Goby
(Pholidichthys leucotaenia)
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Engineer Goby
(Pholidichthys leucotaenia)
Additional locales and sizes may be available!
Additional locales and sizes may be available! Email me when availableQuick Stats
Care Level
Moderate
Temperament
Peaceful
Color Form
Black, Blue, White
Diet
Carnivore
Reef Compatible
Yes
Water Conditions
sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size
1'
Family
Pholidichthyidae
Minimum Tank Size
55 gallons
Compatibility
View Chart
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information
Care Level
Moderate
Temperament
Peaceful
Color Form
Black, Blue, White
Diet
Carnivore
Reef Compatible
Yes
Water Conditions
sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size
1'
Family
Pholidichthyidae
Minimum Tank Size
55 gallons
Compatibility
View Chart
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information
Overview
The Engineer goby is also commonly referred to as the Convict Goby. It is in a separate family from the gobies and blennies. Its markings change throughout its life. Consistently, the colors involved are dark blue to black on white. As a juvenile, the markings are horizontal, running the length of the body. With age, they become vertical bands.
It should be kept in a 55 gallon or larger aquarium with a sand covered bottom where it may make burrows. It needs peaceful tank mates and plenty of hiding places. Small groups or pairs tend to do better in an aquarium, but need to be introduced simultaneously to the tank.
The Engineer Goby has been known to spawn successfully in an aquarium setting.
Its diet should consist of a variety of fresh or frozen seafood, brine shrimp, and mysis shrimp. It should be fed at least twice per day.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3-1/4"; Large: 3-1/4" to 4-1/2"
Customer Testimonials
Kim P
Houston , TX
I had an Engineer Goby for over five years, but didn't know it until after it matured. I bought it as a juvenile, which looks like the picture you have shown, but it burrowed under rocks and I assumed it was gone and dead. Over a year later I saw it come out and eat during the day - it had completely changed! It had now reached a length of over 8" and the stripes were no longer horizontal, but fat, vertical stripes.
Clint G
Oak Harbor , WA
I purchased two of these cause I thought it would be neat to see them burrow and move the substrate around, but they can be destructive to rockwork. I have to continuously fill holes under my live rock to prevent them from shifting and collapsing.
David B
Newport Beach , CA
I also had one that looked like the one in the picture they aren't very active as they get older and as a juvenille they're active at night they are very cool fish they look a lot like eels when they're older mine is about 1'
Chase A
Phenix City , AL
very interesting fish will move substrate around.also good eater will eat some algae of the rock and easy maintenance
Danny B
Duluth , GA
The photo of the juvenile does not do justice to the adult fish that closely resembles an eel. This long slender fish has all of the coolness of an eel without the predatory drawbacks. Very hardy and peaceful, it is a great addition to any reef tank. It will create burrows under rocks from where it will peer out at (like an eel) so good aquascaping is important.
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