Sleeper Blue Dot Goby

The Sleeper Blue Dot Goby is a handsome sand-sifting species easily identified by the six distinctive blue dots adorning each cheek, arranged in two neat rows against its white to pale gray head. Its elongated body is white to silvery with subtle markings, and it can grow to approximately 5 inches in length. The combination of its attractive facial markings and industrious sand-sifting behavior makes it a popular choice among reef aquarists.

As a Valenciennea species, the Sleeper Blue Dot Goby is a dedicated sand-sifter that spends the vast majority of its waking hours methodically scooping mouthfuls of substrate, filtering out edible organisms and detritus, and expelling clean sand through its gills. This constant substrate processing keeps the sand bed aerated, clean, and free from detritus accumulation, providing a tangible maintenance benefit to the aquarium ecosystem. The goby excavates a burrow for shelter, typically beneath rockwork.

This species requires a well-established aquarium of at least 50 gallons with a mature, biologically active sand bed that supports a healthy population of microfauna. In tanks with sterile or newly added sand, the goby may gradually lose weight despite regular feeding. Supplemental feeding with frozen foods targeted to the substrate is important. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as this species is prone to jumping, particularly when startled.