Bella Goby

The Bella Goby, scientifically known as Valenciennea bella, is one of the most beautiful sand-sifting sleeper gobies available for reef aquariums. Similar in size and appearance to the Golden Head Sleeper Goby, it stands out with stunning shades of burgundy, red, and orange, complemented by a golden-yellow head adorned with brilliant sapphire-blue lines beneath the eyes. Its chin and belly are creamy white, while mature specimens often develop distinctive black spots beneath the chin.

Native to sandy reef habitats from Japan to the Philippines, this peaceful species is commonly found living alone or in pairs. Its natural sand-sifting behavior makes it both attractive and highly beneficial in marine aquariums.

• Beautiful combination of gold, red, orange, and vivid blue facial markings.
• Continuously sifts and cleans the sand bed.
• Helps aerate the substrate and maintain a healthy aquarium floor.
• Peaceful and reef-safe.
• Can be kept singly or as a compatible pair.

• Minimum Aquarium Size: Approximately 115 liters (30 gallons).
• Requires a deep bed of fine sand for burrowing and natural sand-sifting behavior.
• Provide plenty of live rock for shelter and security.
• A mature refugium rich in copepods and amphipods is highly beneficial.
• A tightly fitted lid is essential, as this species is known to jump.

The Bella Goby spends much of its day sifting mouthfuls of sand, extracting tiny worms, crustaceans, and other microscopic organisms before releasing the cleaned sand back into the aquarium, naturally keeping the substrate well-aerated and clean.

Although it naturally feeds on microfauna found within the sand bed, the Bella Goby should also receive a varied supplemental diet.

Recommended foods include:

• Vitamin-enriched Mysis Shrimp.
• Vitamin-enriched Brine Shrimp.
• Frozen marine foods.
• Marine fish pellets.
• High-quality dry foods formulated for carnivorous marine fish.