Golden Headed Sleeper Goby Fish

The Golden Headed Sleeper Goby, *Valenciennea strigata*, is a peaceful and industrious sand-sifting goby known for its vibrant golden-yellow head and pale body. These active fish are constantly sifting through the substrate, helping to keep the sand bed clean and aerated.

A minimum tank size of 30 gallons is recommended to provide ample sand bed area for sifting. A deep sand bed (at least 2-3 inches) is essential for this species as they will burrow and create tunnels for shelter. They are generally peaceful and can be kept with a variety of other non-aggressive fish. Avoid keeping them with aggressive or predatory species that may harass or consume them. They are not considered reef safe as they may disturb corals and invertebrates while sifting the sand.

In the aquarium, the Golden Headed Sleeper Goby will primarily feed on small invertebrates and detritus found within the sand bed. Supplement their diet with a variety of high-quality marine foods such as mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and other meaty frozen foods. They may also accept flake or pellet food once accustomed to the aquarium environment. They can grow up to 7 inches in length in a home aquarium. There are no readily apparent visual differences between males and females. Breeding in captivity is not common.