Tiger Sleeper Goby

The Tiger Sleeper Goby, Valenciennea wardi, searches through sand for food. Its pale body carries darker bands, with distinctive markings around the eyes and dorsal fin.

A mature aquarium should offer an accessible sand bed and stable rockwork with sheltered areas beneath it. Secure the cover because sleeper gobies can jump. Choose companions that allow it to forage without repeated chasing, and consider where sifted sand will land around low-growing corals.

Provide small marine meaty foods several times daily, placing some where the goby can reach them near the bottom. Sand-sifting activity is not proof that the aquarium contains enough natural prey. Watch its body condition and actual food intake; an active goby can still lose weight if a busy community intercepts its meals.