Diamond Goby

The Diamond Goby, Valenciennea puellaris, small brilliant orange diamond shapes across its pearl-descent white body. They are hardy and very peaceful and can be housed with other peaceful fish in a reef tank setting, but may become territorial towards other blennies, gobies or dartfish in smaller tanks.

Gobies tend to stay mainly towards the bottom of the tank, burrowing and sifting through the sand. However, this goby is also a known jumper, so a tightly fitting lid is suggested. Diet should include a variety of frozen or live mysis shrimp and vitamin enriched brine shrimp 1-2 times daily.

Habitat

The Diamond Goby is found in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea and the western Indian Ocean. In the wild, they inhabit sandy substrates and seagrass beds, where they spend their time burrowing and sifting through the sand for food.

Reef-Safety

The Diamond Goby is entirely reef-safe and poses no threat to corals or other invertebrates. They offer a valuable service to the aquarium by constantly sifting through the sand, helping to prevent detritus buildup and improve water quality.

Size and Lifespan

Diamond Gobies can grow to be about 6 inches in length. With proper care, they can have a lifespan of up to five years in a well-maintained aquarium.

Diet

Diamond Gobies are detritivores in their natural habitat, feeding on tiny organisms and particles found in the sand. In a home aquarium, they readily accept a diet of high-quality frozen or live foods like brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and small pieces of fish or shrimp.

Aquaculture

The Diamond Goby is available in the aquarium trade, and captive-bred specimens are slowly becoming available. Captive-bred gobies are more sustainable and help reduce the impact on wild populations.

Compatibility

Diamond Gobies are generally peaceful and can coexist with various tank mates. They are known to be docile and rarely exhibit aggression towards other fish.

Tank Mates

• Cardinalfish: Peaceful and colorful, cardinalfish make suitable tank mates for the Diamond Goby.
• Firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica): These small and peaceful fish share a compatible tank environment with the goby.
• Pseudochromis (e.g., dottybacks): Certain species of pseudochromis can coexist with the goby, adding color and personality to the tank.
• Blennies: Some species of blennies are suitable tank mates that add character and charm to the aquarium.
• Jawfish (Opistognathus spp.): Peaceful jawfish species can be compatible tank mates for the Diamond Goby.