keeping the blue cheek goby

[felixon]

Hi,

I'm considering adding a blue cheek goby to my new tank, it's 270 litres.

From what I've read, they seem to be best suited for experienced marine keepers due to their specific needs. Apparently, they require a deep sand substrate - is that correct? If so, how challenging are they to care for?

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

[rileyon]

they're not that bad to keep, just need a stable tank so probably not the best choice for a new setup. they can get pretty big too.

[luminarix]

they do need a decent sand bed, as they sift through it for food and occasionally bury themselves in it.

[talonix]

Hi,

The blue cheek gobies need a sand bed of at least 2" deep. They sift through the sand by spitting it back out through their gill rakers. They're not hard to keep, but they do require a mature tank that's around 4 months old so there's a buildup of food hidden under the sand for them to eat. They also enjoy larger bits of krill, so it's good to provide those too.

Regards, scott

[rusticfox]

They can be a bit high maintenance if the sand bed isn't well-stocked with food, even with extra feedings. The other thing with sifters is the whole 'snow globe' effect - they kick up a lot of sand while swimming around, covering everything in their path, including your favorite corals. I personally use a peacock goby in my tank, they're a bit more resilient than blue cheeks and less prone to wasting away. If you're looking for another sifter, the twinspot is worth checking out - their little 'bobbing' dance is pretty entertaining, lol.