White Sand Goby

Species Profile

• Scientific Name: Valenciennea sexguttata
• Common Name: White Sand Goby
• Adult Size: Approximately 5–6 inches (12–15 cm)
• Life Expectancy: Around 5+ years in captivity with proper care
• Habitat:
  • Native to Indo-Pacific reefs, sandy lagoon bottoms, and reef flats

  • Prefers sandy substrates where it can sift for food and create burrows

Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 30–40 gallons (115–150 liters)
• Ideal Temperature: 72–81°F (22–27°C)
• pH Range: 8.1–8.4
• Water Hardness: 8–12 dKH
• Temperament:
  • Generally peaceful and reef-safe
  • Can be territorial toward conspecifics unless kept as a pair
  • Prone to jumping; a secure tank lid is essential

Diet

Omnivorous
Diet should include:

• Natural microfauna in live sand (copepods, amphipods)
• Supplemental feedings of mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood
• High-quality frozen or pellet sinking foods

Appearance

• Pale white to translucent body with subtle blue spots, often six distinct spots under the head region
• Slender body adapted for sand-sifting behavior
• Large expressive eyes and delicate fins

Distinctive Features

• Sand-sifting behavior: constantly filtering sand to find small prey and aerate the substrate
• Forms monogamous pairs that share burrows
• Prone to jumping, so a tight-fitting tank cover is required
• Helps maintain a clean sandy substrate by natural sifting