Valenciennea Strigata - The Golden Head Sleeper Goby

Overview

• Commonly known as the Golden Head Sleeper Goby.
• Native to the Indo-Pacific region, often found in sandy-bottom reef environments.
• Recognized by its distinctive golden-yellow head and elongated body.
• Valuable in aquariums for its sand-sifting behavior, which helps maintain substrate cleanliness.

Feeding

• Carnivorous diet, primarily consuming small crustaceans and invertebrates.
• Requires a varied diet including frozen or live mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and marine pellets.
• Constantly sifts through the sand to extract hidden food particles.
• Supplementing with vitamin-enriched foods enhances health and vibrant coloration.

Habitat

• Typically found in sandy lagoon and coastal reef environments.
• Prefers stable water conditions and moderate water movement.
• Requires a minimum 30-gallon tank, though larger tanks are recommended for pairs.
• Needs a fine sand substrate for burrowing and natural sifting behavior.

Fish Care

• Optimal water temperature: 74-80°F (23-27°C).
• Ideal pH level: 8.1-8.4, with a specific gravity of 1.020-1.025.
• Regular water changes and stable water conditions are essential for long-term health.
• Prone to jumping, so a secure tank lid is required to prevent escapes.
• Plays a key role in aquarium cleanliness by filtering sand and reducing detritus buildup.

Compatibility

• Peaceful and suitable for reef tanks with other non-aggressive fish.
• Best kept with tank mates such as clownfish, wrasses, and other gobies.
• Can be kept in pairs but may become territorial toward other sand-sifting gobies.
• Avoid housing with aggressive fish that may outcompete or harass them.

Aquarium Behavior

• Spends most of its time near the substrate, actively sifting through the sand for food.
• Contributes to maintaining a clean and aerated sand bed.
• Generally peaceful but may exhibit territorial behavior if space is limited.
• Providing an established sand bed and live rock structures supports natural behaviors.