Engineer Goby

About this fish

Engineer Goby is the common name for the marine fish Pholidichthys leucotaenia. In a home aquarium, this active burrower is valued for its interesting tunnel-building behavior and for being generally peaceful with appropriate tankmates. It can work in many reef setups, but it also needs rockwork that can handle its digging.

Features:

• Burrows and redecorates: build tunnels and move sand/gravel, so offer stable rockwork and a suitable substrate bed for natural digging behavior.
• Generally peaceful temperament, making it workable for community tanks with peaceful companions. ([mobile.saltcorner.com](https://mobile.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=400&filter=0))
• Likely reef-friendly: often considered coral safe in reef and FOWLR contexts (use caution, especially near the bottom where sand-spraying and burying can occur). ([mobile.saltcorner.com](https://mobile.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=400&filter=0))
• Carnivorous diet: requires meaty foods such as fortified brine shrimp and mysis, typically fed multiple times per day. ([mobile.saltcorner.com](https://mobile.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=400&filter=0))
• Tank planning matters: as it matures it can grow large and become more secretive, so choose a tank size and aquascape accordingly. ([mobile.saltcorner.com](https://mobile.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=400&filter=0))
• Can be kept with caution around some small ornamental invertebrates (it may eat small shrimp/crabs). ([mobile.saltcorner.com](https://mobile.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=400&filter=0))
• Experience level is commonly described as intermediate due to husbandry needs and adult size. ([mobile.saltcorner.com](https://mobile.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=400&filter=0))

Specifications:

• Scientific name (verified): Pholidichthys leucotaenia ([itis.gov](https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=630411&utm_source=openai))
• Type: Saltwater marine fish (family Pholidichthyidae) ([mobile.saltcorner.com](https://mobile.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=400&filter=0))
• Temperament: Peaceful ([mobile.saltcorner.com](https://mobile.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=400&filter=0))
• Diet: Carnivore; meaty marine/frozen foods (e.g., fortified brine shrimp, mysis) ([mobile.saltcorner.com](https://mobile.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=400&filter=0))
• Reef suitability: Reef tank likely suitable / coral safe (general guidance) ([mobile.saltcorner.com](https://mobile.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=400&filter=0))
• Minimum tank size: 50 gallons (general guidance) ([mobile.saltcorner.com](https://mobile.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=400&filter=0))
• Adult size: Up to about 11 inches (33 cm) ([mobile.saltcorner.com](https://mobile.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=400&filter=0))
• Temperature range: 72–82°F (22–27°C) ([mobile.saltcorner.com](https://mobile.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=400&filter=0))
• pH range: 8.0–8.5 ([mobile.saltcorner.com](https://mobile.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=400&filter=0))
• Specific gravity (salinity): 1.020–1.026 ([mobile.saltcorner.com](https://mobile.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=400&filter=0))
• Acclimation: Recommended acclimation time of 30 minutes+ ([mobile.saltcorner.com](https://mobile.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=400&filter=0))