Sleeper Gold Head Goby (Valenciennea Strigata)

Species Name : Valenciennea Strigata

Care Level : Moderate

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : Blue, Tan, White, Yellow

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 : Africa, Fiji, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka

Family : Gobiidae

Minimum Tank Size : 30 gallons

The Sleeper Gold Head Goby (Valenciennea Strigata), is known by many names including the Pennant Glider, Yellowheaded or Golden Head Sleeper, or Blueband, Bluestreak, or Yellowheaded Sleeper Goby.

A pale greyish glidergoby with a yellowish head, a curved bluish bar below the eye across the gill cover, and a thin pale bluish bar on the pectoral-fin base. Dorsal-fin spines 2-4 are prolonged as filaments.

To be successfully cared for, it should be housed in a 30 gallon or larger aquarium with live sand as the substrate, and an attached populated refugium. A large mature reef aquarium with a deep sand bed is a must for this species, which is recommended for advanced aquarists only. This will not only enable them to create a burrow, but is also a vital lifeline for them as they sift through this substrate in search for tiny invertebrate food items. Capable of jumping from open topped aquaria. 

It rarely will become aggressive towards other fish, but is territorial, and will fight with its own kind unless they are a mated pair.Should not be housed with aggressive or fin-nipping fishes, such as groupers, dottybacks, triggerfishes or angelfishes.

It feeds off the bottom as it sifts through the sand eating mouthfuls of substrate and the food that lives within the sand, keeping the substrate well oxygenated. The Sleeper Gold Head Goby feeds on a variety of live and frozen brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, live black worms, and prepared foods for carnivores, and should be fed frequently. They will starve to death in tanks without a mature sand bed.

Size: Small: 1" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3"; Large 3" to 4"; XLarge: 4" to 5"