Description
Longfin Sleeper Goby (Valenciennea longipinnis)
Overview
The Valenciennea longipinnis, commonly known as the Longfin Sleeper Goby or Longfin Goby, is a striking and industrious sand-sifting fish. Similar to its relatives, it is highly valued for its ability to keep the sand bed clean and aerated, though it brings a distinct, elegant look with its elongated dorsal fin.
- Temperament: Peaceful toward other fish, but can be territorial toward conspecifics (other gobies) or similar sand-sifting species.
- Size: Grows to approximately 12–15 cm.
- Key Trait: Features a noticeably elongated dorsal fin (the “longfin”) that adds a graceful element to its appearance.
- Behavior: Like other members of the Valenciennea genus, it is a constant sand-sifter and is prone to jumping.
Care Requirements
- Tank Size: Minimum 200 litres is recommended. They require a large surface area of fine sand to sift through for food.
- Temperature: 22–26°C.
- Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG.
- pH: 8.1–8.4.
- Environment: A deep, fine-grained sand bed (at least 2–3 inches) is essential for their natural behavior. Coarse substrates can damage their gills as they sift. Ensure all rockwork is placed on the bottom of the tank, not on the sand, to prevent it from collapsing when they dig their burrows.
Maintenance
- Water Quality: Maintain low nutrients. Because they constantly kick up sand, high-quality mechanical filtration (like filter socks or floss) is useful to keep the water clear.
- Routine: Regular water changes (10–20% biweekly) are necessary to maintain water quality, especially since their digging can release trapped detritus.
- Lid: A secure, tight-fitting lid is non-negotiable, as this species is an excellent jumper.
Diet
- Type: Carnivore/Planktivore (Sand-sifter).
- Staples: Their diet must be supplemented with high-quality frozen foods like Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and chopped marine seafood.
- The “Malnutrition” Challenge: Like other sleeper gobies, they are prone to starvation if the tank does not provide enough natural fauna or if they are not target-fed. Do not expect them to survive on “tank scraps” alone; you must ensure they get enough food during feeding time.
Behavior and Compatibility
- Tankmates: They are peaceful and fit well into community reef tanks. Avoid keeping them with aggressive fish that may steal their food or bully them.
- Avoid: Do not house with other Valenciennea species, as they will fight over the sand-sifting territory.
- Reef Safety: Generally reef-safe, but be cautious—as they sift, they often drop sand over low-lying corals. If you keep many corals directly on the sand bed, this species may cause them irritation.
Reproduction
- They form monogamous pairs. Spawning takes place in a burrow, where the pair will guard the eggs.
- Captivity: Similar to other sleeper gobies, captive breeding is extremely challenging due to the delicate needs of the planktonic larvae.
Tips
- Sand Bed: Only add this fish to a tank with a mature, deep, fine-sand bed.
- Nutrition: Always prioritize target feeding until you are sure the fish is getting enough calories.
- Rock Stability: Build your rockwork on the bottom glass to avoid “landslides” when the goby digs underneath the structures.
- Jump Risk: Keep the tank covered at all times.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Either come in store to view available stock or request pictures to be sent to you.
Please Note: Due to variations within species resulting from age, region, sex, etc., the actual livestock may not look identical to the image. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimens.
