Buan Sand Goby

The Buan Sand Goby is a compact sand-sifting species from the Western Pacific that reaches approximately half the size of its more commonly kept relative, the Dragon Goby (Amblygobius phalaena). At just 3 inches maximum, this species is an excellent sand-sifting option for medium-sized reef aquariums where the larger Amblygobius species would be impractical. Its body features attractive horizontal stripes of brown and white with subtle blue-green highlights along the fins.

First captive bred by Biota Marine Life, the Buan Sand Goby has become increasingly available in the aquarium trade. Captive-bred specimens are significantly hardier than wild-caught individuals and accept prepared foods much more readily. This species spends the majority of its time hovering near the substrate, scooping mouthfuls of sand and sifting them through its gill rakers to extract tiny invertebrates, detritus, and algae.

The sand-sifting behavior of the Buan Sand Goby provides a valuable service in the home aquarium by keeping the substrate clean, aerated, and free of nuisance algae and detritus buildup. Unlike some larger sand-sifting species that can starve in tanks with insufficient sandbed fauna, the Buan Sand Goby's smaller size means it can thrive in moderately sized aquariums with a mature sand bed supplemented by regular feeding of prepared foods.