TankBud

Diamond sleeper goby

Valenciennea puellaris

Also known as Diamond Watchman Goby, Maiden Goby, Orange-Spotted Sleeper Goby

SaltwaterFish

Diamond sleeper goby (Valenciennea puellaris)
No machine-readable author provided. Normann Z assumed (based on copyright claims). · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
55 gal
208 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Cave spawner · Hard
Rarity
Very common
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Gobiidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific coral reef lagoons

Overview

The diamond sleeper goby is a peaceful sand sifter for a large, mature reef tank. It is best kept by someone with a little experience.

Did you know

The diamond sleeper goby processes an enormous amount of sand every day. It draws sand in through its mouth, filters out anything edible and blows the clean grains back out through its gills. In effect, it runs its own sand filter around the clock.

Caring for the diamond sleeper goby

Diamond sleeper gobies need a mature tank of at least 55 gal (208 L). Cover as much of the floor as possible with several inches of fine sand. Only add one to a tank that has been running for several months. Keep the lid tight, since it jumps.

Keep the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C), with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. The goby depends on the worms, copepods and other tiny creatures living in the sand to survive. In a tank too small or too new to support enough sand fauna, target feed it regularly. Place mysis or finely chopped shrimp near its burrow.

Diamond sleeper gobies are peaceful and reef safe, working constantly through the sand bed without bothering corals or other tank mates. They can squabble with other gobies unless kept as a mated pair. Keep them with calm fish that will not out-compete them for food at the bottom.

Adults pair up and dig a shallow burrow together under a piece of rubble. The female lays eggs on the burrow ceiling, and the male stands guard over them for three to five days. As hatching nears, he seals the entrance at night and reopens it to release the fry. Breeding them is hard.

Good to know

The diamond sleeper goby, Valenciennea puellaris, is a member of the family Gobiidae. In good conditions it can live 5 to 8 years.

In the wild

The diamond sleeper goby lives in coral reef lagoons across the Indo-Pacific. It spends nearly all its time on the substrate, in a steady search for food.

Common questions

What size tank does a diamond sleeper goby need?

A diamond sleeper goby needs at least 55 gal (208 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a diamond sleeper goby need?

A diamond sleeper goby is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a diamond sleeper goby eat?

A diamond sleeper goby eats the worms, copepods and other tiny creatures living in the sand. In a small or new tank, target feed it mysis or finely chopped shrimp near its burrow.

How big does a diamond sleeper goby get?

An adult diamond sleeper goby reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

How does a diamond sleeper goby breed?

Diamond sleeper gobies pair up and lay eggs on the ceiling of a shared burrow under rubble. The male guards the eggs for three to five days, then opens the burrow to release the fry. Breeding them is hard.

Related species