Maiden Goby (Valenciennea puellaris)

The Maiden Goby (Valenciennea puellaris) is a beautifully patterned sand-sifter with a white body dotted with bright orange spots arranged in rows along its flanks. Pairs bond for life and bonded pairs can often be seen sifting the sandbed in tandem, displaying endearing cooperative behaviour. A healthy sandbed with abundant microfauna is essential to long-term success.

House as a bonded pair in a reef of at least 150 L with a deep, fine sand bed (5+ cm). Feed supplemental frozen mysis and copepods as sandbed microfauna may not provide sufficient nutrition alone. Provide caves or burrow sites. Peaceful with all reef inhabitants. Avoid keeping with fish that harass sand-dwelling gobies.