Golden Headed Sleeper

[laga77]

Male or Female? I would like to try to get a pair. Any ideas of what this one is and how do you tell the sexes apart. I believe it has to do with dorsal fins.

 

[cheesecreaper]

I'm no expert but I think that that is a male.

 

[ThRoewer]

As a goby I would suspect they can change sex both ways.

I found some research papers on them but don't know if they specify how to sex them:

Why is the coral-reef fish Valenciennea strigata (Gobiidae) monogamous?

The natural history of a monogamous coral-reef fish, Valenciennea strigata (Gobiidae): 1. Abundance, growth, survival and predation

The natural history of a monogamous coral-reef fish, Valenciennea strigata (Gobiidae): 2. behavior, mate fidelity and reproductive success

BTW: DD just has a pair for sale - Sleeper Gold Head Goby (Bonded Pair) (Valenciennea strigata)

 

[laga77]

Saw them. I all ready have one wanted to try to get a pair. I talked to Vivid Aquariums, they said they can't tell the sexes apart. They put a group of fish together and wait for them to pair up. Thats how places sell bonded pairs. Thanks.

 

[ThRoewer]

There is a way to tell male and female on many species: the genital papilla. It will look slightly different on male and females in shape and thickness.
But it requires that you have enough well fed fish to compare and pick from. It may also be required to slightly squeeze the fish to have the papilla come out if they are not fed enough.
I'm not sure your LFS will let you do that.

 

[laga77]

I believe my pair of sleepers have bred. I still cannot tell male from female, but the larger of the two has buried itself for the past two weeks and only comes out occasionally to feed and goes back into its cave. The research I have done says this is breeding behavior.