The Tiger Sleeper Goby (Valenciennea wardii) is a great choice for reef and FOWLR (fish-only with live rock) tanks, especially for hobbyists who want a natural sand sifter. Here's a full care and description guide to help you keep one healthy and thriving.
🐟 Tiger Sleeper Goby – Overview
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Scientific Name: Valenciennea wardii
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Common Names: Tiger Sleeper Goby, Ward’s Sleeper Goby, Ward’s Tiger Goby
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Family: Gobiidae
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Origin: Indo-Pacific region
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Size: Up to ~5–6 inches (13–15 cm)
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Lifespan: Typically 5–7 years with good care
🌊 Tank Requirements
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Minimum Tank Size: 40–50 gallons (larger is better if paired or in community)
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Substrate: Fine, sugar-sized sand is ideal — this fish is a sand-sifter and will constantly filter sand through its gills
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Aquascape: Live rock for grazing and hiding; caves and tunnels are appreciated
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Water Parameters:
🧠 Temperament & Compatibility
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Temperament: Peaceful, but territorial toward conspecifics unless paired
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Tank Mates: Great with other peaceful reef fish; avoid aggressive species
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Reef Safe: Yes — completely reef safe, though their sand-sifting can cause minor cloudiness and may displace coral frags near the substrate
🦐 Diet
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Type: Carnivore/Omnivore (natural diet includes tiny inverts from sand)
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Diet in Captivity: Needs a varied diet of:
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Feeding Frequency: 2–3 times daily 📝 Note: They do feed from the sand, but captive setups rarely offer enough to sustain them long-term. Supplemental feeding is essential.
⚠️ Special Care Tips
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Sand Bed Depth: Ideally 2–4 inches for optimal sifting behavior
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Secure Lid: They're jumpers! A tight-fitting lid or mesh top is a must
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Tank Maturity: Do better in established tanks with microfauna in the sand
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Pairing: Can be kept singly or as a bonded pair. Introducing two without being a known pair may result in fighting.
🌟 Fun Fact
They scoop mouthfuls of sand and spit it out through their gills or mouth, cleaning it in the process. It's not only helpful for your tank — it's fascinating to watch!
