So in the last month, we've decided to come back into saltwater keeping. We have a 40 gallon breeder and had started with a HOB filter. We have a 3 year old and 7 year old and they are really enjoying it. So far, we have a small pair of clowns (Orange Storm and Black and White... both ~1.5") and a Royal Gramma (2.5"). After completing our cycle, we added a cleaner shrimp. Initially, things seemed fine. The RG was hiding a fair bit but started coming out more. The kids loved the shrimp and how the fish would eat from a dropper. After a couple days, I noticed the shrimp was pretty reclusive and hanging out at the back of the tank. It also seemed like the RG would run over to it with its mouth open as if it wanted cleaned. Within 3-4 days from the onset of that behavior... the shrimp was dead... laying on its side near the rock it hung out on. While we never observed the RG go after the shrimp, I now believe this is what killed the shrimp. I had assumed that something with the water was the culprit. Maybe someone put something in the tank that killed the shrimp (kids and hands). Tests were stable during this time (ammonia and nitrite = 0 ppm, nitrate 5-10). We test daily as my 3 year old really likes that part. Temp is at 79.
Later that week, the RG broke out in ick. I hadn't set up a QT system... but I never did this the first time I kept a reef (5 years). I now have a small QT setup that all the fish are in. When we started the QT (doing tank transfer with 2x10 gallon tanks), we added a tangaroa goby. The RG almost immediately went after it. I have now built an acclimation box and the goby is sitting in there. I'm not posting for judgement on the QT setup... it is what it is at this point. The big tank is being drilled for a sump setup right now as well, which makes it harder to just ignore the QT and put them back (granted, I'm working on getting ick out of the main system as well). I'm testing QT for ammonia and transferring to a freshly cleaned 10 gallon tank at most 60 hours after they switched tanks (TTM). I will be gluing the PVC for the plumbing in the main tank today on a brand new 40 gallon tank so no ick (I had suspected possible copper in the main tank and didn't want to deal with leaching issues later). I am planning to do Dr. Tim's cycling on the new tank, which had resulted in a ~1 week cycling time last time.
Back to the original question/intent of posting. I had always heard RG were peaceful fish that are mostly compatible with everything. This RG has been a headache and very likely serial murderer if I let him at the goby. While I intend to involve the kids/wife in the decision making, I'm interested in hearing stories or advice from others here. He's a very colorful fish with lots of personality. Unfortunately, some of that personality includes intent to kill others that might look at his rock. Tangaroa Goby don't get very big, so I don't see him every growing large enough to stop the bullying.
Options:
1) Give it time, maybe the RG will realize he's a jerk and should chill... empathy towards fellow fish doesn't seem to be a strong suit at this point. This would assume heavier use of the acclimation box, but I have concerns he'll limit other fish additions.
2) Return/give away the Tangaroa Goby realizing the RG is literally waiting for a chance to kill him. Plan to add larger fish that can deal with RG.
3) Return/give away the RG as he may be a problem for the life of the tank.
I am expecting by this time next year, we'll be planning on a big tank (120-180 gallons). Other stocking I'm looking at down the line: Melanurus Wrasse, maybe a Fairy Wrasse, blue/green Chromis, maybe a Coral Beauty/Flame Angel. We are interested in a Goby/Pistol pair, a RBTA for the clowns, possibly cleaner shrimp/fire shrimp (I realize they and wrasses may not be a good idea).
Later that week, the RG broke out in ick. I hadn't set up a QT system... but I never did this the first time I kept a reef (5 years). I now have a small QT setup that all the fish are in. When we started the QT (doing tank transfer with 2x10 gallon tanks), we added a tangaroa goby. The RG almost immediately went after it. I have now built an acclimation box and the goby is sitting in there. I'm not posting for judgement on the QT setup... it is what it is at this point. The big tank is being drilled for a sump setup right now as well, which makes it harder to just ignore the QT and put them back (granted, I'm working on getting ick out of the main system as well). I'm testing QT for ammonia and transferring to a freshly cleaned 10 gallon tank at most 60 hours after they switched tanks (TTM). I will be gluing the PVC for the plumbing in the main tank today on a brand new 40 gallon tank so no ick (I had suspected possible copper in the main tank and didn't want to deal with leaching issues later). I am planning to do Dr. Tim's cycling on the new tank, which had resulted in a ~1 week cycling time last time.
Back to the original question/intent of posting. I had always heard RG were peaceful fish that are mostly compatible with everything. This RG has been a headache and very likely serial murderer if I let him at the goby. While I intend to involve the kids/wife in the decision making, I'm interested in hearing stories or advice from others here. He's a very colorful fish with lots of personality. Unfortunately, some of that personality includes intent to kill others that might look at his rock. Tangaroa Goby don't get very big, so I don't see him every growing large enough to stop the bullying.
Options:
1) Give it time, maybe the RG will realize he's a jerk and should chill... empathy towards fellow fish doesn't seem to be a strong suit at this point. This would assume heavier use of the acclimation box, but I have concerns he'll limit other fish additions.
2) Return/give away the Tangaroa Goby realizing the RG is literally waiting for a chance to kill him. Plan to add larger fish that can deal with RG.
3) Return/give away the RG as he may be a problem for the life of the tank.
I am expecting by this time next year, we'll be planning on a big tank (120-180 gallons). Other stocking I'm looking at down the line: Melanurus Wrasse, maybe a Fairy Wrasse, blue/green Chromis, maybe a Coral Beauty/Flame Angel. We are interested in a Goby/Pistol pair, a RBTA for the clowns, possibly cleaner shrimp/fire shrimp (I realize they and wrasses may not be a good idea).
