Picture of my new tank and my catalina goby

[benneb1897201vw]

My tank is quasi set up. I bought a catalina goby yesterday and I already had 2 chromis from when I was cycling. I made my own hood, because the 46 bow front hoods I saw available commercially were not worth having. I had to link to the pictures, I couldn't get them to work otherwise.


Picture of My Tank

Catalina Goby

[ December 07, 2001: Message edited by: benneb1897201vw ]</p>

 

[Anonymous]

I hate responding with the news I'm about to give you, but someone has to. All I can say upfront is that if you check out info on the catalina goby in any book on saltwater fish care, it'll back up what I'm going to say.

The catalina goby is not a tropical fish. It's temperate. A temp of 72 F is about the most they should be subjected to, and they do better at temps in the mid 60s. When kept at higher temps, their life span is significantly reduced.

Yes, I know your LFS probably told you absolutely none of this and said they'd be fine in your tank. They either lied or are grossly misinformed themselves.

 

[ecugman]

Hey nice looking hood!

I've also got a 46 bowfront and just purchased a VHO retro kit to light the tank. I need to build a hood myself and would be very interested in how you went about constucting the hood. Did you work off a set of plans? Any info you could give me would be appreciated.

Thanks!

g

 

[benneb1897201vw]

Yeah I was informed about the catalina, by reading, and the guy at my LFS. I've heard mostly negative things about them, but I've heard a few people comment on that they've had them live at temps in the mid to high 70s. My tank stays around 76, maybe up to 78 at the end of the day. I've installed cooling fans I bought from radio shack in my hood to help out with this. I'd figured I'd take my chances, nothing lost or gained. As far as the hood, I just built it myself, no plans. I used to be into woodworking heavily, so building stuff comes naturally. The sides are made of red oak, the front(bowed part) is made of 1/4" red oak veneer. I just got my sides to the correct length, the bent the wood, screwed it on the ends, and wet it the middle a little, worked out great. I also tried to find the most bent piece they had at Lowe's, that helped too. The top is made of 3/4" red oak plywood, and the substructure is pine, because isn't seen, and is much lighter.

 

[Gatortailale1]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by benneb1897201vw:
<strong> I'd figured I'd take my chances, nothing lost or gained. </strong><hr></blockquote>

Well we all on this board hope nothing is lost by taking a chance and keeping the fish at mid 70's temp. Just do 110% to give the fish a good home.

 

[monkeyboy]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by benneb1897201vw:
<strong>I'd take my chances, nothing lost or gained. </strong><hr></blockquote>

Hmmm, what about losing the fish????

 

[benneb1897201vw]

Well my intentions are not to kill him. Yes something would be lost if I do lose him. I'm keeping my tank temp as low as possible for his sake, and hoping for the best. I originally saw about 10 of them in a tank at the large aquarium in New Orleans, and have wanted one ever since. Him and my yellow clown goby are the prettiest fish I've ever owned.


Ben

 

[Anemone]

The catalina goby, as the name suggests, is native to the waters off southern california. Those waters currently run 56-58 degrees, and top out, in the heat of the southern california summer, at about 68 degrees.

Good luck with your fish. Unfortunately, I don't think you'll have it more than a couple of months (and that's if it was a very healthy specimen to start).

I hope I'm wrong,

Kevin

 

[Lunchbucket]

cjdevito, you said exactly what i was going to. your catalinia won't last. they are NOT tropical and need cool waters, sorry. i know i would love one too they are so colorful!

later
Lunchbucket