IntermediatePeacefulReef Safe

Bella Goby

Valenciennea bella

Family: Gobiidae · Gobies

Also known as: Beautiful Goby, Bella Sand Goby, Elegant Sleeper Goby

Max Size

Min Tank

30 gal

Lifespan

3-5 years

Origin

Western Pacific, Indonesia

Diet

Carnivore

Swims

Bottom

About

The Bella Goby is one of the most visually striking sand-sifting gobies available in the marine aquarium hobby. True to its name, which derives from the Latin word for beautiful, this species displays a gorgeous maroon to deep orange body with intricate markings and an elongated, elegant body shape. The vivid coloration sets it apart from the more commonly seen tan or white sand-sifting gobies, making it a highly sought-after and correspondingly expensive species.

As a sand-sifting goby, the Bella Goby performs a valuable service in the aquarium by continuously turning over and aerating the substrate. It spends its days methodically scooping mouthfuls of sand, extracting tiny invertebrates and organic matter, then expelling the cleaned sand through its gill openings. A minimum tank size of 30 gallons with a deep sand bed of at least 2-3 inches is essential to support this natural foraging behavior.

The primary challenge with the Bella Goby is ensuring adequate nutrition. Sand beds in smaller aquariums can be quickly depleted of their microfauna, potentially leading to starvation if supplemental feeding is not provided. Regular target feeding with frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and other meaty foods is necessary. The species is peaceful and reef-safe, making it an excellent but premium addition to established reef aquariums with mature sand beds.

Feeding & Diet

Carnivore

Bella Gobies are carnivorous sand sifters that extract small invertebrates, worms, and crustaceans from the substrate. In captivity, supplement their sand-sifting diet with frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood targeted near the substrate. A mature sand bed with healthy microfauna is essential for long-term health.

Compatibility

reef-safepeacefulbottom-dwellersand-sifterrare

Bella Gobies are peaceful toward most tankmates. They may show territorial aggression toward other sand-sifting gobies, so it is best to keep only one sand-sifting species per tank unless the system is large with ample sand bed area. They coexist well with most reef community fish.

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Breeding

Difficult

Bella Gobies can form monogamous pairs and may spawn in captivity. They excavate a burrow in the sand where eggs are deposited and guarded by the male. Raising the pelagic larvae is extremely challenging and requires specialized food cultures.