Engineer Goby (Pholidichthys Leucotaenia)
Also Known As: Convict Blenny, Convict Goby
Compatibility and Behavior
The Engineer Goby (Pholidichthys leucotaenia) is a fascinating fish on a couple of levels, starting with the fact that it isn't really a goby at all, and it isn't a blenny either despite the "convict blenny" name. It's the sole member of its own odd little family, and it lives up to the "engineer" part with a serious talent for tunneling. It's a tiny, but proportionally long, sperm-like fish with bold black-and-white stripes that mimic a tiny, toxic coral catfish, a clever bit of protective disguise. It also somewhat resembles the swimming style of a tadpole. Watching a group of Engineer Gobies weaving in and out of the rockwork like a living tunnel network is a genuine spectacle, and they're often more confident and visible kept as a group introduced together rather than as a single fish. It's generally peaceful toward other fish and won't pick at coral tissue, clams, or anemones.
Aquarium Requirements
Give them a tank of at least 40 gallons or larger with a deep sand bed at least 3 to 4 inches thick, ideally fine aragonite with some small rubble they can work into their burrows, plus plenty of ledges, overhangs, and caves to anchor the tunnel system and feel secure, since they spend most of their time in and around their tunnels rather than out in open water. A tight-fitting lid or mesh top is essential, as this species can be an expert escape artist when startled. Good filtration, moderate flow, and stable parameters round it out. Feed meaty foods like mysis, enriched brine, live blackworms, finely chopped seafood, and quality marine pellets once or twice a day.
Specifications
Approximate Size: Sm: 0.5–1", Md: 1–1.5", Lg: 1.5–2" (sold as juveniles; adults can grow larger over a long period of time)
Diet: Carnivore; meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, live blackworms, finely chopped marine seafood, and quality marine pellets
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Care Level: Easy to moderate
Reef Safe: With caution
Temperament: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons
Special Considerations: Social and often bolder in a group; an escape artist that needs a tight-fitting lid, will grow over time
Pairs well with
Engineer Goby (Pholidichthys Leucotaenia)
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Shipping Information
- Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday. Orders will be shipped overnight on the soonest possible shipping day, unless you request to hold the order for up to one business day.
- Your order will ship same-day if placed before 12:30 PM PST on a shipping day.
- Orders placed after 12:30 PM PST will ship on the next shipping day.
- Stay tuned to our Announcement Bar (black bar at the top of every page) for important shipping announcements...we may reach our max limit of orders we can ship on Mondays.
- If it is very hot, very cold, or if you live in a rural area, ship to a UPS Access Point to save your livestock from hours of exposure to the elements. Click here to see how.
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FAQ’s
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if UPS is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a UPS Access Point, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.
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Contact Us
Send us an email at sales@reefbeauties.com and we will get back to you shortly.
We do not offer phone calls. We handle our inquiries with timely emails to ensure a qualified and high-quality response, to have all conversations on record, and to avoid miscommunications that can occur over the phone.
Free shipping on orders over $199!
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if FedEx is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a FedEx Ship Center, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.