{"product_id":"engineer-goby-3-pack","title":"Engineer Goby (3-Pack)","description":"\u003ch3\u003eEngineer Goby (3-Pack)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eEngineer Goby\u003c\/strong\u003e (Pholidichthys leucotaenia), also widely known as the \u003cstrong\u003eConvict Goby\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003eConvict Blenny\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most intriguing and unique marine fish available to hobbyists. Despite its common names, this species is neither a true goby nor a blenny; it belongs to its own distinct family, Pholidichthyidae. Juveniles feature striking black-and-white horizontal stripes reminiscent of a convict's uniform or a coral cat shark, while adults undergo a dramatic visual transformation into a pattern of dark, vertical bars and marbling on an elongated, eel-like body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to the Central Indo-Pacific, from the Philippines to the Solomon Islands, the Engineer Goby is famous for its tireless burrowing behavior. In the wild and in home aquariums, it creates extensive network tunnels beneath rockwork and sand. Individuals can reach an impressive maximum length of \u003cstrong\u003e10 to 12 inches\u003c\/strong\u003e (25-30 cm). Because of their constant digging and adult size, a minimum aquarium size of \u003cstrong\u003e55 gallons\u003c\/strong\u003e is required, along with a deep sand bed and rockwork secured directly to the bottom glass to prevent structural collapses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eEngineer Goby\u003c\/strong\u003e is an exceptionally peaceful and hardy species that adds tremendous character to a marine setup. While completely harmless to corals and fish, its endless engineering projects mean aquarists must ensure all rock formations are completely stable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u0026lt;\u0026gt;\n\u003ch4\u003eDiet \u0026amp; Compatibility:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e This species is a dedicated \u003cstrong\u003eCarnivore\u003c\/strong\u003e. In captivity, it readily accepts a wide variety of frozen meaty foods such as \u003cstrong\u003emysis shrimp\u003c\/strong\u003e, chopped brine shrimp, krill, finely chopped squid, and high-quality carnivore pellets or flakes. Juveniles are active feeders in the water column, while secretive adults often wait near their burrow entrances for food to drift past.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Feed 1-2 times daily. Target feeding near their primary burrow entrance using a pipette or feeding tongs can ensure timid or shy individuals receive sufficient nutrition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef Compatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e It is \u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/strong\u003e with minor caveats. The Engineer Goby will never nip at or consume hard or soft corals. However, its digging can undermine rock bases, potentially tipping corals over or smothering low-lying species (like brain corals or acans) in sand dust clouds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e It is \u003cstrong\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/strong\u003e. They are non-aggressive toward other fish species and can easily be kept individually, in pairs, or in small groups (provided there is ample sand bed space and hiding spots for each individual).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate \u0026amp; Safety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Always place your live rock directly on the bottom glass panel before adding sand. If rockwork rests on top of the substrate, the Engineer Goby's tunneling will cause the structure to shift, collapse, or crack the glass. A fine-to-medium sand bed of at least \u003cstrong\u003e2 to 3 inches\u003c\/strong\u003e is essential for their natural digging behavior.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u0026lt;\u0026gt;\n\u003ch3\u003eQuick Facts\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pholidichthys leucotaenia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrimary Common Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Engineer Goby\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOther Common Names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Convict Goby, Convict Blenny, Pacific Eel Goby\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Indo-Pacific (Philippines, Indonesia, Solomon Islands)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMax Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10-12 inches (25-30 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carnivore (Frozen meaty foods, mysis, marine pelleted diets)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 55+ Gallons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef Compatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reef Safe (With caution for rockwork stability)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u0026lt;\u0026gt;","brand":"AquariumFish.com","offers":[{"title":"Medium (1.25-2\")","offer_id":67705531924700,"sku":"iyv1791987282009","price":38.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0834\/1422\/1020\/files\/engineer-goby-3-pack_1.webp?v=1791987288","url":"https:\/\/calmhemwear.shop\/products\/engineer-goby-3-pack","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}