Blue neon vs Gold neon gobies

[Greenmariner]

I have an established blue neon goby (elacatinus oceanop) in my nano-tank. Wish to add one or a pair of gold neon gobies. Is it possible for the new gobies to co-exist peacefully with the blue neon goby? Will the newcomers be harassed by the older goby? Would like to know the experience of reefers who have attempted to do the same.

[peacemaker]

IME, gobies are either paired up right from the start or they will fight to the death. You can try putting the new one in a betta box first to see how they fare before making the next decision of either releasing it (that means they have paired up successfully), or sell it (lots of aggression and chasing).

[Greenmariner]

IME, gobies are either paired up right from the start or they will fight to the death. You can try putting the new one in a betta box first to see how they fare before making the next decision of either releasing it (that means they have paired up successfully), or sell it (lots of aggression and chasing).

My purpose in adding more neon gobies is to have a varied color collection of these species, not to pair them up. In the past, I have added an additional blue neon goby to the tank on two occasions without any chasing or fights. Unfortunately, after a couple of months of peaceful co-existence ( in fact, each time the two blue neon gobies would frequently show affection by resting next to each other or swimming together in close proximity), one goby would succumbed to an unknown malady & slowly wasted away before dying. This time, I wish to try introducing a different sub-specie of neon goby. However, I wish to minimise the risk of conflict. So, if any hobbyist has tried before & is willing to share his experience, it would be really appreciated.

[Solo77]

Chance is possible. You may end up with none which I experienced before.

[Evolutionz]

Sorry to hijack but since we are talking about goby, I currently have a hector goby in a 34l tank. Issit ok for me to add a yasha goby and pistol shrimp pair?

[Greenmariner]

Chance is possible. You may end up with none which I experienced before.

You mean you have tried adding a new different sub-specie of neon goby to a tank with an established neon goby & they ended up fighting each other to death? Wow! Maybe, size does matter. In the past, I had added a new blue neon goby which was considerably smaller than the established one without incidence. But I wonder whether it would make any difference if the new fish belonged to a different sub-specie, for example a yellow line neon goby.

[Greenmariner]

Chance is possible. You may end up with none which I experienced before.

Would like to share my experiences adding new neon gobies to a tank with an established blue neon goby. Recently bought a blue neon goby & a yellow neon goby from the same lfs. The two neon gobies were added into the tank at the same time. The new blue neon goby was welcomed with affection by the established neon goby. Conversely, the yellow neon goby was unrelentingly attacked & chased all over the tank. Eventually, I had to resort to selling off the yellow neon goby. This is the third time I had introduced a new blue neon goby into a tank with an established blue neon goby. Each time, the new blue neon was amicably welcomed. Another hobbyist had bought 3 yellow neon gobies & added them into the tank but ended up selling off 1 yellow neon goby because it was bullied. The following is my conclusion. Never attempt to add a different color or sub-specie to an established neon goby that belonged to a different sub-specie. Based on the other hobbyist's experience, never buy more than 2 neon gobies, even of the same sub-specie, for one tank because they will pair naturally & the third neon goby will become an outcast to be bullied. Just my 2 cent's worth.

[bellinayu]

I bought 1 neon goby and 2 yellow lined and placed them in a betta box. One of the yellow lined was chased by the other yellow lined so I separated them and sold 1 away. Leaving 1 neon and yellow lined. They co-existed fine in the betta box but when I let them out into the tank, the neon started chasing the yellow lined. However, I think a bit of chasing is fine if there is enough room in the tank. As long as none show stress colors and torn fins, I left them alone. I intend to add shark nose gobies as well.

[reef garden]

I had a blue and a yellow neon in the same tank but the blue kept chasing after the yellow and denied it of food. Not long after I took out and put the yellow neon in a separate tank, the latter died. So sad.

[Greenmariner]

I had a blue and a yellow neon in the same tank but the blue kept chasing after the yellow and denied it of food. Not long after I took out and put the yellow neon in a separate tank, the latter died. So sad.

Hi Bro

Did you release the yellow & blue neon gobies into the tank at the same time? Or was the blue neon goby already a resident in the tank before you added the yellow neon goby into the tank? Keen to know cos I plan to have yellow neon gobies when my blue neon goby is no longer around in the future.

[reef garden]

Hi Bro Did you release the yellow & blue neon gobies into the tank at the same time? Or was the blue neon goby already a resident in the tank before you added the yellow neon goby into the tank? Keen to know cos I plan to have yellow neon gobies when my blue neon goby is no longer around in the future.

Both were bought on the same day and released together. Initially they were fine then the blue turned on yellow. Sad!

[bellinayu]

My neon and yellow lined are co-existing well with a bit of chasing at times but does not bother the other too much.