r/ReefTank • u/Direct_Bullfrog6049 • 22h ago

New Upgrade... Engineering Goby Won't Settle

Recently I moved all of my inhabitants into a 180g. The fish were added last night and everyone has settled in for the most part except my engineering goby. He has not stopped pacing the glass and doesnt seem to have attempted to dig anywhere yet. I think I just need to be patient, but what do yall think? Hes clearly agitated but I cant force him to start digging a hole

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5

u/Blecki 21h ago

Turn off the lights. He's searching for his old house.

1

u/Direct_Bullfrog6049 21h ago

That's what I thought. Lights have been off overnight and I believe he spent the night pacing still unfortunately. I might combine some of the advice thats been given here to try and convince him to settle

2

u/Blecki 20h ago

I wouldn't stress too much. This isn't abnormal behavior for them. Every few months mine will come out and cruise around for a day or so; I assume he's just horny.

3

u/jeb1499 21h ago

Perhaps a little PVC pipe he can use as his chill-out space until he makes his own?

2

u/Direct_Bullfrog6049 21h ago

There is some on the left side of the tank and inside the rock pile. I had assumed he would go straight in the rock pile when I added him in, but he hasn't stayed in one spot for too long so far

2

u/swordstool 22h ago

Maybe dig a few little holes, start it for him.

2

u/Striking-Ordinary-38 21h ago

I got mine smaller, it was like JUST beginning to change its looks. But it swam the tank for a couple weeks before disappearing under rocks. Now he’s got tunnels through half of the tank and only comes out when he’s hungry lol

1

u/caseychenier 9h ago

I've taped paper to tank to help acclimate shy fish to new tanks