Twostripe Sleeper Goby (Valenciennea helsdingenii)

Valenciennea helsdingenii is among the largest sand-sifting gobies, bearing two dark longitudinal stripes along a pale, elongated body. Like all Valenciennea, it processes mouthfuls of sand to extract small invertebrates, which naturally turns and oxygenates the sand bed. Solitary individuals often decline — a bonded pair is strongly recommended for long-term success in a spacious aquarium.

Provide a 200 L or larger tank with a 7–10 cm deep fine sand bed. Feed frozen copepods, mysis, and enriched brine shrimp twice daily as supplemental feeding. Maintain temperature 24–28°C, SG 1.020–1.025. Ensure a tight-fitting lid; gobies are jumpers. Best kept as a mated pair.