Other Brackish Water fish

Green Spotted Puffers (Tetraodon nigroviridis) are another very interesting, brackish water fish. Although there seems to be a lot of debate over whether they are fresh water or brackish water, it seems the majority says brackish. 2 of these cuties joined our home today in another aquarium (they are NOT compatible with Dragon Gobies!).
They grow to about 6 inches and have a lifespan of 10 years or more if cared for appropriately.
They eat crusteaceans in the wild and therefore snails are essential to their diet. The shells also help keep their teeth trimmed down.
They are known to be an aggressive fish and should be kept alone. Other tank mates would be at risk.
However, they are a very unique, fascinating fish. Despite the agressive nature they are known for, there is a cuteness factor that wins you over!
For more information on this variety of fish CLICK HERE

Interesting finding...

Interesting finding...

I have always thought Gilbert (my Dragon Goby) wasn't as active as some people indicate their Dragon Goby to be. He doesn't swim up away from the bottom of the tank or perch himself against the side, like I hear people speak of. He pretty much stays under his clay pot or comes out into the sand in the area just around it.

A couple days ago I moved all the Dalmation Mollies that had been in the tank with him into another tank and interestingly he became somewhat more active... not a ton; but there was a noticeable difference! Despite that I've never seen them bother him in the least, it seems this gentle giant has been intimidated by the Mollies!

Update on my Dragon Goby

I have had this fish for 5 months now and he continues to do well. He shares his home with some platies & mollies. I change 20% of the water every 2 - 3 weeks and add two Tablespoons of Marine Salt to the water. He loves to eat shrimp pellets (despite that he wouldn't originally) and comes out to eat them each morning and evening, otherwise he likes to hang out in his clay pot cave. I am cleaning the tank today and adding some additional slate rock hiding spots for him. I'll post photos.

Finally discovered what my Dragon Goby will eat!

Today, after several days of having my Dragon Goby, I finally saw him eat!
I had tried shrimp pellets, algea wafers & flake food, none of which I had seen him show interest in. I was getting concerned. Yesterday someone from the Aquatic Community Forum told me their Dragon Goby loves bloodworms. Yesterday I bought some freeze dried bloodworms at Walmart. I put some in the aquarium this morning and was so happy to see Gilbert eat one and go looking for more! He ate several! YEAH!!

Click here to check out the Aquatic Community website & forum: AC Tropical Fish

Day 2 with my Dragon Goby - 1st day to add some marine salt

I am so pleased with this fish! He is fascinating. I love the way he moves all around rearranging the sand to his liking.

Today I did close to a 20% water change adding back in 5 gallons of dechlorinated water with which I had added 1 Tablespoon of Instant Ocean Marine salt last night. The switch to brackish water has begun!

I named him Gilbert Valentine. Believe it or not the Dragon Goby was what I asked my husband for for Valentines day :), along with a large bag of marine salt. He seems to be doing great.

Bringing home my Dragon Goby

Today I brought home my Dragon Goby! I let him adjust to the water temperature and carefully placed him down in a caved area of the tank to help him feel safe. Several days before I prepared my 30 gallon tank for him by adding sand as substrate to half of the bottom of the tank. (The other half remains rounded gravel) Much to my surprise within a few minutes he came out from this cave area and made himself comfortable burrowing down in the sand at the very front of the tank! What a treat for viewing. This also made it easy for me to measure him. In entire length he is almost 7 inches, about 5 1/2 inches not including tail fin.
He was in freshwater at my local fish store. My tank is currently freshwater which I will be transitioning to brackish. I bought a 15 lb bag of Instant Ocean Sea Salt today for this purpose.