Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Compatible: With Caution

General Description: The Engineer Goby, also referred to as the Convict Goby or Worm Goby, is native to the Indo-Pacific. The markings of an Engineer goby change as it grows. When small, Engineer gobies have blue-black and white horizontal markings. As they get larger, these markings change into vertical bands. Engineer gobies are beloved by hobbyists for their relatively hardy nature, peaceful demeanor and unique appearance. Furthmore, Engineer gobies have a cool behavioral quirk in that they often make a burrow or two under the live rock in the aquarium, to which all individuals will retreat to suddenly if alerted. Engineer gobies are best kept in pairs or small groups; all individuals should be introduced at once. While typically offered at small sizes, an adult Engineer goby can reach an impressive size of approximately 12″.

Diet Requirements: In the wild Engineer gobies are primarily carnivorous. A diet largely consisting of high quality, vitamin enriched frozen preparations is absolutely necessary to maintain optimal health, coloration, and immune function. Such foods can include, but are not limited to, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, calanus, cyclopeeze and rotifers. Suitable frozen food options will change as your Engineer goby grows. We highly encourage soaking frozen foods in vitamin and fatty acid supplements. Multiple, small feedings per day rather than one large feeding will also create more of a natural environment for the Engineer goby as it would feed in the wild. Engineer gobies may accept high quality flake and pellet foods.

Care Requirements: A minimum 55 gallon aquarium is ideal to house a pair or small group of juvenile Engineer gobies; a larger group, or more mature individuals, will require more space. Engineer gobies enjoy a variety of rock work and crevices to take refuge in or under in order to feel secure. A several inch deep sandbed is required for their natural burrow-digging behavior; also ensure your live rock stack is secure and stable for this reason. Despite their large adult size, do not house Engineer gobies with overly aggressive and pugnacious tank-mates. Engineer gobies are to be added “with caution” into a reef aquarium because very small, decorative invertebrates could be at risk with adult specimens. Additionally, because Engineer gobies do dig burrows, this may be viewed as undesirable in a reef setting. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.

Purchase Size: Small: 2″ to 3-1/4″; Medium: 3-1/2″ to 5-1/2″; Large: 5-3/4″ to 7-3/4″; XLarge: 8″ or larger.

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.