Twostripe Goby (Valencienna Helsdingenii)

The Twostripe Goby, also known as the Sleeper Goby, is a peaceful and beneficial sand-sifting fish. Its unique cream-colored body adorned with two distinct brown stripes running horizontally from head to tail makes it stand out in marine aquariums. This goby is particularly valued for its role in keeping the sandbed clean and aerated.

Care Information

• Maximum Size: Up to 6 inches.
• Tank Size: 40 gallons minimum, with a deep sandbed to support its natural sifting behavior.
• Diet: Omnivorous; thrives on a diet of live and frozen brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and finely chopped seafood, alongside high-quality pellets or flake food designed for carnivorous fish.
• Water Temp: 72-78°F.
• Salinity: 1.020-1.025.
• Aggression: Peaceful; it does well in community tanks but may become territorial towards other gobies if the tank is too small.
• Skill Level: Beginner; an excellent choice for novice aquarists due to its hardy nature.
• Reef Compatibility: Reef-safe; does not harm corals and is known for sifting through the sand in search of food, helping to maintain the cleanliness of the substrate.

Color Variation by Locality

• Indian Ocean: Specimens from this region typically have clear, well-defined stripes and may exhibit more vibrant color contrast.
• Western Pacific: Fish from areas like Indonesia and the Philippines may show subtle differences in the intensity of the striping, but generally maintain the same two-stripe pattern​.

Typical Habitat

• Distribution: The Twostripe Goby is native to the Indian and western Pacific Oceans, commonly found around sandy areas of coral reefs from East Africa to Fiji. It typically inhabits shallow, clear water where it sifts through the sand in search of small invertebrates and organic matter​.