Is my dragon goby in trouble?

[WildFrontierian]

I hope someone can help. About 3 weeks ago I purchased a lovely dragon goby from a place whose name I don't want to mention. Rescued, as it turns out, more than purchased. As is typical, this store thinks it's freshwater, not brackish, and had him in gravel, not sand. As quickly as I could, I got him into a 40 gallon hex (I know, still not quite big enough but he's better off there than he was) with a lovely black sand substrate and flake eating tankmates (gold and neon tetras.)

About a week ago, I noticed him swimming up top. It looked lovely but something told me it was wrong. Concerned, I called my LFS (not where I purchased him but they're knowledgable) and followed their recommendation of a partial water change and to monitor more closely and make sure he eats. He did okay for a couple days, then started this top swimming behaviour again. Also, he stands up (displays?) a lot which doesn't worry me as much as the top swimming.

I suspect you guys may know more than my LFS so I wanted to come here for help. How bad is this? What should I do? Any advice would be appreciated. I naively purchased this fish knowing absolutely nothing about him (or maybe her) but got up to speed quickly thanks to the web. I'm very fond of him and very worried. Should I be?


Thanks y'all!

 

[dragonfish]

How big is he? What are water parameters? Mine will stand against corner with part of body raised up all the time. When he was small he would sometimes swim to the top. Keep in mind they need brackish as they get bigger and like small meaty foods. Mine did well on brine and bloodworms when smal and now eats chunks of fish and shrimp.

 

[wolfsburgfanatic]

How big is he? What are water parameters? Mine will stand against corner with part of body raised up all the time. When he was small he would sometimes swim to the top.

same here.

Mine used to like to swim up and play in the current of my filter output all the time when I first got him. I've found brine shrimp to be his food of choice (as well as live blackworms if hes been good ). So long as your water conditions are good I wouldn't worry too much for now. Keep in mind that (from what I've heard and read) they are supposed to be pretty tolerant of different water conditions, but they are very sensitive to ammonia.

Hope everything works out

 

[davo]

same here.

Mine used to like to swim up and play in the current of my filter output all the time when I first got him. I've found brine shrimp to be his food of choice (as well as live blackworms if hes been good ). So long as your water conditions are good I wouldn't worry too much for now. Keep in mind that (from what I've heard and read) they are supposed to be pretty tolerant of different water conditions, but they are very sensitive to ammonia.

Hope everything works out

Definately. They are very tolerant of varying salinities all their lives, although usually on the side of higher salinities than not, but as said they need good water quality. As long as this is alright, it should be ok for a while, but i'd still look to put it in brackish.

 

[KYeasting]

I've had mine for about a year now with low salinity. Although I have low salinity (only a tablespoon or so per 10-15 gallons), I check my water several times per week and keep it very clean. From every picture I've ever seen, mine has the same if not better coloration. It has a deep blue with some bronzy color showing through, silvery on the bottom. It will swim up and down the tank when you feed it, or just for the heck of it. Mine actually swims to the top and bites the turkey baster I use to feed it. It loves frozen white mosquito larvae squirted into the tank. Makes for a funny time watching it!

 

[SharptoothBass]

ive hve had my dragon and my bumble bee gobys in freshwater for about 9 months dragon goby was tiny one of the smallest i ever had hes like 6-7 inches now and doesent bother the bb at all. they love live brine shrimp frozen bloodworms and live black worms. also gobioides peruanus the dragon goby i have can and do live in totally freshwater in the wild. i also notice alot of the lfs where i am keep all small gobys in brackish water like purple spot gobys and they arent even found in brackish water in the wild.

 

[Invert tanks are fun]

This may very well be to late but dragon gobies are very sensitive to ammonia. They swim at the top gasping for air when the ammonia changes even slightly. I rescued one from a Petsmart that I work for, for the exact same reason. I ended up giving him away to a buddy of mine with a 65, and he is over 14" and is fattie now.