{"product_id":"engineer-goby","title":"Engineer goby","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAbout Engineer Goby\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Engineer Goby is a fascinating marine fish known for its \u003cstrong\u003eeel-like body, black-and-white striped pattern and impressive burrowing behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e. Despite its common name, it is not actually a goby; it belongs to the family \u003cstrong\u003ePholidichthyidae\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuvenile Engineer Gobies have a particularly striking appearance, closely resembling banded venomous marine snakes. As they mature, their pattern changes and they develop the elongated, eel-like body characteristic of adults.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEngineer Gobies spend much of their time underneath the substrate, constructing extensive networks of tunnels and burrows. They are peaceful fish and can be kept with many reef-safe community species, provided their tank mates are not aggressive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003edeep sand bed\u003c\/strong\u003e is essential for allowing them to display their natural behaviour. Rockwork should also be placed securely on the aquarium base rather than directly on loose sand, as their burrowing can undermine rocks and decorations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are generally hardy once established and accept a range of foods, including marine pellets, frozen foods and meaty preparations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ePholidichthys leucotaenia\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Engineer Goby \/ Convict Blenny\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pholidichthyidae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Marine Fish\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Up to approximately 30 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy to Intermediate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Aquarium:\u003c\/strong\u003e 250 L+\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24–28°C\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.0–8.4\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.023–1.026 SG\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carnivore \/ Omnivore\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bottom \/ Substrate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable For:\u003c\/strong\u003e Marine community aquariums and reef tanks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs an Engineer Goby actually a goby?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Despite its common name, the Engineer Goby belongs to the \u003cstrong\u003efamily Pholidichthyidae\u003c\/strong\u003e, not the true goby family Gobiidae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big do Engineer Gobies get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey can reach around \u003cstrong\u003e30 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e, so they should be planned for as a substantial adult fish rather than being purchased based on their small juvenile size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo Engineer Gobies need sand?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. A suitable sand bed is important because burrowing is a major part of their natural behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill Engineer Gobies move my rocks?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey can. Their extensive burrowing can undermine unsecured rockwork. Always build the rock structure securely before adding the sand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre Engineer Gobies reef safe?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGenerally yes. They are not known for eating corals and are commonly kept in reef aquariums. Their burrowing behaviour is the main consideration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Mistakes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUsing too little substrate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEngineer Gobies need sufficient sand to construct their burrows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacing unstable rocks directly on sand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBurrowing can cause rocks to shift or collapse. Secure rockwork before adding substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKeeping them in a tank that's too small\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTheir eventual size and extensive burrowing behaviour require a substantial aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssuming their juvenile appearance is permanent\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYoung Engineer Gobies look very different from adults, so consider their mature appearance and size before purchasing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKeeping them with aggressive tank mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlthough peaceful themselves, they can become stressed or injured by aggressive marine fish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apex Aquatic","offers":[{"title":"Juvenile","offer_id":48917899804811,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/8353\/3195\/files\/nuwaor_r0LX3nFXgQ-xUUOeFXF_kGuODdM5j8M4FKNFklCMYkkWyfRC2EEadLf7wUNeOpnPw0Em_yrBFeeROTLkCqkjSxck-LuH_C3Mm0IQ8xgUH-Lu2zEQ3V3RbM7RBU2hf1ULTmucyUEj9wKZcY6Gk_WjhjCuW684gJDeYnEjSmkO3VHdL4jU.jpg?v=1786780489","url":"https:\/\/apexaquatic.com.au\/products\/engineer-goby","provider":"Apex Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}