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Diamond watchman goby (Valenciennea puellaris)
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Normann Z assumed (based on copyright claims). · Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Diamond watchman goby

Valenciennea puellaris · Gobiidae

Also known as Orange-spotted sleeper goby

Intermediate

Constantly sifts and cleans the sand bed; needs a deep, established bed to stay fed.

Minimum tank
190 L
Temperature
23–27 °C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
15 cm
Group size
1+
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Reef & marine husbandry
Specific gravity
1.023–1.026
Reef safety
Reef safe
With corals
Reef safe, though it dusts low corals with sand.
With inverts
Reef safe.
Minimum in a mixed reef
190 L
Minimum fish-only (FOWLR)
190 L
Aggression
Peaceful except to its own kind.
Feeding
Twice daily plus sand fauna.
Care requirements
Minimum tank volume
190 L
Temperature
23–27 °C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
8–12 dGH
Lifespan
3–6 years
Diet
Carnivore — sand micro-fauna, mysis, sinking pellets.
Care level
Intermediate
Origin & habitat
Native region
Indo-Pacific
Water type
Saltwater
Biotope
Open sand flats beside reef
Natural conditions
Deep fine sand bed, moderate flow.
Behaviour & stocking
Temperament
Peaceful
Minimum group
1 fish
Swims
Bottom
Good tank mates
Clownfish
Tangs
Firefish
Avoid
Other sleeper gobies
Bare-bottom tanks
Breeding & difficulty
Breeding difficulty
Advanced
Sexing
Males are slightly larger.
Notes
Pairs spawn in burrows; rarely reared.
Common ailments
Starvation
Marine ich

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