Help me identify this Goby?

[Tupps11]

Hey Guys

Was hoping you guys could help me identify this Goby. My LFS says that this is the most docile, non harmful, and beneficial type of Goby i can get for my tank. Apparently, it doesnt harm any corals or other fish, and does a great job of sifting and cleaning sand...

 

[GerritM]

At the top is Valenciennea strigata and below should be Valenciennea sexguttata.

 

[Tupps11]

At the top is Valenciennea strigata and below should be Valenciennea sexguttata.

Thanks for the response. I didnt even notice the pure white one below :lolspin:

So, any info regarding benefits or negatives on the Strigata?

 

[Musing.Dog]

I have read that they sift sand for microfauna, depleting the sand bed of diversity, and then eventually die of starvation. There are much easier to keep gobies out there.

 

[SweetTang]

I have read that they sift sand for microfauna, depleting the sand bed of diversity, and then eventually die of starvation. There are much easier to keep gobies out there.

Unfortunately....this is true. I had one that did great for a couple of months. He was fun to watch as he would take a gulp of sand and then filter it as he was swimming off (though I did get tired of blowing the sand off my corals and rocks.....). My wife and son loved him. I even got him to eat frozen food and pellets. But after a few months, he started showing signs of starvation and slowly withered away...pretty sad watching him. I have never met/heard of anybody keeping them long-term.

In summary, they deplete your sandbed of beneficial diversity and then slowly starve to death. Your local fish store is either very under-educated, or just trying to make a buck.

Good luck with them, but I would try and return them if it is not too late....