Hobgoblin...

[KanUCme]

This is the coolest fish in my aquarium. He looks like mini-lion fish when he swims around, and then buries himself in the sand with just his eyes sticking out like a halibut. Very, very, very poisionus I have been told. I have not been able to find any information on it, as I do not know it's actual species. I know he will eat anyhting that can fit in it's mouth. I place a little peice of shrimp in front of him, and he has these little claws that he uses to pull his body along the sand until he finds his food, and then Bam! he strikes at it and the shrimp is gone just as fast as it appeared. I will try to post a pic of him later...

 

[KanUCme]

 

[jamesw]

Is it a "Pop-eyed Seagoblin?" Frank Marini has one of these and it is an amazing fish. I took some pictures last week. I'll try to get them online for Frank.

Watch out! According to Frank and Scott Michael, not only is this fish very poisonous, it is lethal! Did the LFS tell you THAT????!!!!

Cheers
James Wiseman

 

[KanUCme]

Yep....
here are some close-up cameos of the Hobgoblin.

 

[KanUCme]

Yes it is a Pop-eyed Seagoblin.

 

[KanUCme]

If you look closely you can see his claw like fingers. He's kinda freaky, IM just glad he's in the tank and not a land dewelling creature... Anyone else have one of these?
I found a page with all the technical information on it: Hobgoblin Info

[ February 05, 2002: Message edited by: KanUCme ]</p>

 

[FMarini]

KanU:
Awesome fish.
Yup its a "pop-eyed seagoblin. However if you got it from FFE its not an Inimicus I. filamentousus but mostly I. didactylus.
I can tell from looking at your photos that you have I. caledonicus. The white markings on the face, and the center band on the pectoral fins are indicative of this species. (fish gets about 10"long) I have these as well, actually two different species of sea-goblins or bearded ghoul. Never heard of hob-goblin, but it could work.
If you want to read lots more info on these fish. Scott MIchael's Book, "Reef Fish" vol1. pg458-63.
As mentioned by James this fish is highly venomous and is often considered a "lethal". Unlike a lionfish which has weak spines that often break off, only injecting a small amount of venom. "Devilfish" has tough, rigid venom spines and inject a full load. So watch out when cleaning your tank.
I posted my pictures here, but i will also do it again just so you can see them as well.
What are you feeding your goblin?
Pop-eyed seagoblin

short faced bearded ghoul

totally cool fish
frank

 

[Mouse]

Whats the smallest tank mate you could have for one of these, or are they too proficient a hunter to be out of a species tank?

Wicked beastie, i think i actually prefer these to the fuzzies.

 

[KanUCme]

He is very similar to a lion fish. If it will fit in it's mouth it will eat it. The only real difference I have noticed is that it is a real lazy fish and isn't agressive. If it doesn't walk infront of it's mouth it's probally safe. If you put a little peice of shrimp in front of it's face it will walk up to it and eat it. It's cool!

 

[FMarini]

Hi:
I agree w/ what KanU mentiond, this fish is not interested in anything that doesn't fit into its mouth.
However unlike a lionfish, my seagoblin spends 99% of the day buried in the substrate w/ only its eyes and top dorsal spine exposed. Its does not move nor swim....NADDA.
When feeding, the food has to come w/in an 1" of its face else its not interested. Mines a great eater, and i've spent about 4 weeks trying to ween it over onto frozen mshrimp mysis, etc. It perfers live foods , but only recently has it decided that dead food is okay to eat as well.
here is a thread from 2weeks ago about mine
http://reefcentral.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=deb0fcd44af33b7cec47b4fb6e080061&threadid=59577&highlight=seagoblins

Do I perfer it over my dwarf fuzzies or other lions???
You be the judge

frank
To see my 180 gal tank of lions:
http://www.marshreef.org/members/fmarini/index.htm

 

[KanUCme]

I feed it frozen shrimp. I didn't buy it from FFE. I bought it from a reputable LFS, It states that it can be lethal. I guess if you were alergic to it. I was told that it was like a lion fish sting, except it hurt a helluva lot more. I was told if I was stung to soak in hot water. If this is not true is there and anti-venom of some kind for this? Your's appears to have a little more red in it then mine. Your camera takes a way better pic then mine. My camera is about 4yrs old. I guess it's time for a new one. What do you feed yours?