Wheeler's Watchman Goby

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 3"
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
• Diet: Carnivore   • Origin: Indo-Pacific
• Family: Gobiidae   • Species: Gobies   • Aquarium Type: Reef Compatible

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Wheeler's Watchman Gobies are well known for their attractive appearance and suitability for smaller aquariums. Wheeler's Watchman Gobies are considered a good "Nano" fish as they only reach a max size of about 3 inches and spend the majority of their time near their burrow awaiting an opportunity for a meaty meal. This species will quickly adapt to life within a Nano Reef Aquarium or smaller Reef Aquarium where they will dig out a burrow, in which they will live in and near. They require a mixed substrate of sand and crushed bits of coral that they can comfortably dig in and that will support the construction of 2 to 3 inch deep burrow.

In the wild Wheeler's Watchman Gobies get the "Watchman" portion of their name from the fact that they will often share burrows with Alpheus Shrimp, with whom they have a symbiotic relationship. Alpheus Shrimps who are almost completely blind, will dig out very extensive burrows that they will then share with Watchman Gobies in return for the Gobies ability to see trouble coming and alert the Shrimp to retreat into the burrow.

This species is known for adapting to the home aquarium very quickly and living and thriving in small aquariums of 10 to 25 gallons in size. It is for this reason that the Wheeler's Watchman Goby is considered an excellent species for keeping in the very popular Nano aquariums that are becoming more and more commonplace. Wheeler's Gobies are also known for being very disease tolerant and hardy with little no special housing requirements beyond a sandy substrate and some live rock present to create their burrow near. They will also do well in small groups or pairs as long as they are all added at the same time, so that they can establish their own territories within the aquarium. Overall the Wheeler's Watchman Goby is an excellent addition for a Nano reef aquarium or community aquarium containing other peaceful fish species.

Their diet should include a variety of live and frozen meaty foods such as, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, live black worms, finely chopped seafood, and prepared foods for carnivores. Wheeler's Gobies should be fed twice daily an offering of varied meaty selections. A varied diet of these meaty marine foodstuffs will ensure that the Wheeler's Goby gets a balanced nutritional diet and will help them maintain a strong immune system.