Randall's Goby Pair Spawning - questions

[susan2626]

Hi. My mated pair with their pistol have been in my tank since late May but were all paired up in the LFS when I bought them. They are always out and about as a trio - the shrimp constantly burrowing for them. But the female disappeared over the past four days and I feared she died - but low and behold this morning - before the lights went on - there she was (!) peeking her head out of the tunnel. Since the lights went on, she's nowhere to be seen. I assume this is because they are breeding. I don't think she's come out to feed at all for 4 days. Is this normal behavior? Anything I can do to help make them happier? Are babies going to become food for the tank (or have they already?) This is my first spawning event so I would like to learn anything I can. Thanks

[billsreef]

It does indeed sound like typical breeding behavior. Gobies for the most part are one of the easier families of fish to breed. If you want to attempt rearing future spawns, read the sticky thread about microfood culture and start up some phyto and rotifer cultures