Valenciennea strigata
Due to
variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image
provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Color Form: Blue, Tan,
White, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78?
F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size5?"
Origin: Africa, Fiji,
Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka
Family: Gobiidae
Minimum Tank Size: 30
gallons
The Blue Cheek Goby, is known by many names including the
Pennant Glider, Yellowheaded or Golden Head Sleeper, or Blueband, Bluestreak,
or Yellowheaded Sleeper Goby. Its head is yellow-gold with a sapphire-blue
stripe below the eyes, and the rest of the body is off-white.
To be successfully cared for, it should be housed in a 30
gallon or larger aquarium with live sand as the substrate, and an attached
populated refugium. A well-sealed canopy should be provided. It rarely will
become aggressive towards other fish, but is territorial, and will fight with
its own kind unless they are a mated pair.
It feeds off the bottom as it sifts through the sand
eating mouthfuls of substrate and the food that lives within the sand, keeping
the substrate well oxygenated. The Blue Cheek Goby feeds on a variety of live
and frozen brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, live black worms, and prepared foods for
carnivores, and should be fed frequently.