Bella Goby (Valencienna Bella)

Species Name : Valencienna Bella

Care Level : Moderate

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : Maroon, Orange, Red

Diet : Carnivore

Reef Compatible : Yes

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 6"

Origin : Philippines

Family : Gobiidae

Minimum Tank Size : 30 gallons

The Bella Goby, Valenciennea Bella, is an attractive species of Sleeper Goby. 

Similar in shape and size to a Golden Head Sleeper Goby, the Bella Goby displays color variations of maroon, red and orange. Its head is yellow-gold with sapphire-blue stripes below the eyes, while the chin and belly are off-white. Adult Bella Gobies will develop black patches under their chins. These hardy fish are usually found singly or in pairs.

Bella Gobies are sand sifting fishes and should be housed in a 30 gallon or larger aquarium with a thick sandy substrate and adequate rockwork structure so they are able to construct a borrow for protection. They should be kept in a tank with fine, soft substrate that will not damage their gills as they sift. Bella Gobies are considered jumpers so be sure your aquarium has a tight-fitting canopy or screen cover.

They get along with most tankmates, but can be aggressive toward other gobies.

Bella Gobies feed from the bottom of the aquarium by sifting through the sand gulping up mouthfuls of substrate. The food that lives within the sand such as small worms and crustaceans is filtered out and consumed. The Goby’s frequent sifting keeps the substrate clean and well oxygenated. They will also benefit from a mature refugium populated with copepods and/or amphipods. Bella Gobies should be offered a variety of frozen/thawed foods such as enriched brine shrimp, enriched mysis shrimp, and prepared pellet and dry foods for marine carnivores. Bella Gobies should be fed twice daily.

Size: Medium: 3" to 3-3/4"; Large: 3-3/4" to 4-1/2"; XLarge: 4-1/2"