Whitebarred Goby

The whitebarred goby is recognized by the dark brown bars crossing its olive or light brown body and the thin light lines between them; there are light blue spots and lines on its head and a dark blotch on the first dorsal fin. It reaches 13–15 cm. In the wild it lives on coastal reefs, in lagoons and on sand-rubble areas near seagrass beds, usually in pairs. It sifts sand through its gills and eats small invertebrates, organic debris and plenty of algae. Keeping the sand surface clean is useful, but in a small, new aquarium its food source is quickly exhausted.

• At least 200 liters; a large sand surface is important.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C.
• At least 5–8 cm of fine sand; set rocks directly on the glass, as it digs underneath them.
• Reef-safe: it leaves corals and ornamental shrimp alone; it may toss the sand it digs onto low-lying corals.
• It jumps when frightened; a lid is essential.

Omnivorous. Offer sinking granules, frozen mysis and brine shrimp, and foods containing algae or spirulina at least twice a day. The natural food in the sand is not enough on its own.

Peaceful and calm. It is territorial towards unfamiliar individuals of its own species and towards other sand-sifting gobies; a mated pair digs a burrow together.

Good companions: Clownfish, cardinalfish, tangs, dwarf angelfish, wrasses, ornamental shrimp.

Avoid: Other sand-sifting gobies (in a small aquarium), hawkfish, large predators.