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Valenciennea puellaris
A 'sand sifter' that cleans by scooping sand. Tank's worker responsible for sand bed cleaning and stirring.
The diamond or orange-spotted sleeper goby (Valenciennea puellaris) lives over sand around Indo-Pacific reefs and takes its name from the orange spots scattered over a white body. Adults reach 10-15 cm, large for a goby. Its defining behaviour is sand-sifting: it takes a mouthful of substrate, sorts out organic matter and micro-organisms, and expels the rest through the gills, constantly turning the sand bed and helping prevent anaerobic pockets. That habit makes a fine sand bed of at least 5 cm essential; a bare-bottom tank or coarse coral gravel will starve it. It also showers corals with excavated sand, so plan the aquascape accordingly. A single fish rarely finds enough food in the sand alone, so plan on supplementary frozen feedings.
The Diamond Goby lives 3-5 years.
The Diamond Goby grows to 10-15cm.
The ideal temperature for the Diamond Goby is 24〜26℃.
Lifespan
3-5 years
Size
10-15cm
Temperature
24〜26℃
Sources: LiveAquaria
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / Ministry of the Environment Specified Animal List / Ministry of the Environment: List of Designated Invasive Species
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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Sand microorganisms, Frozen food
May blow sand onto corals
Keep the water at 24–26°C and specific gravity at 1.023–1.025. Its constant sand-sifting also helps prevent anaerobic pockets.
As a sand-sifter that filters mouthfuls of sand, it needs a fine sand bed at least 5cm deep. Bare-bottom tanks or coarse coral sand lead to decline.
Organic matter and microfauna in the sand are rarely enough, so plan on supplementary feeding with frozen food. This is key to preventing starvation.
Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.
The ideal temperature for Diamond Goby is 24〜26℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
The average lifespan of Diamond Goby is 3-5 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Diamond Goby typically reaches 10-15cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Diamond Goby feeds on: Sand microorganisms, Frozen food. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Diamond Goby varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: June 23, 2026