Golden Head Sleeper Goby

Also known as the Yellowhead Sleeper Goby. 

The Golden Head Sleeper Goby is a hardworking sand-sifting species known for its bright yellow head, white body, and peaceful behavior. It constantly turns over the sand bed, helping keep the substrate clean and well-oxygenated. This goby is active, hardy, and suitable for medium to large reef tanks with established sand beds.

Key Features

Scientific Name: Valenciennea strigata
Common Names: Golden Head Sleeper Goby, Yellowhead Sleeper Goby
Adult Size: 5 to 6 inches
Lifespan: Several years with stable care
Temperament: Peaceful, sand-sifting bottom dweller
Reef Compatibility: Fully reef-safe
Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons
Experience Level: Beginner to intermediate

Habitat & Tank Requirements

Natural Habitat: Golden Head Sleeper Gobies are found across Indo-Pacific sandy reef zones where they constantly sift sand for food. They live in pairs or singly and retreat to burrows when threatened.

Tank Environment:

• Provide a mature sand bed at least 3 to 4 inches deep
•  Add rock structures with caves for hiding and resting
• Moderate water flow to keep detritus suspended for filtration

Recommended Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C)
•  Salinity: 1.020–1.025 sg
•  pH: 8.1–8.4
• Nitrate: Low to moderate

Diet & Feeding

Golden Head Sleeper Gobies are carnivores that naturally consume tiny crustaceans and organisms living in the sand. Although they feed constantly from the substrate, supplemental feeding is important in aquariums.

Recommended Foods:

•  Mysis shrimp
• Brine shrimp
•  Copepods
•  Enriched frozen foods
•  Small sinking pellets for carnivores

Feeding Schedule: Feed 1–2 times daily. Ensure food reaches the bottom where they naturally sift and feed.

Behavior & Compatibility

Temperament: Golden Head Sleeper Gobies are peaceful and active sand sifters. They may jump when startled and appreciate a secure sand bed to burrow in.

Tank Mates:

• Ideal with peaceful reef fish such as clownfish, gobies, wrasses, blennies, cardinals, and chromis
• Avoid highly aggressive species or large predatory fish
• Safe with corals and most invertebrates, though they may cause light sand movement around the tank

Breeding Potential

Golden Head Sleeper Gobies may pair and establish burrows where spawning occurs. However, successful fry raising in home aquariums is extremely rare due to the tiny planktonic fry and feeding challenges.

Why Choose Us

At Dr Reefs, every Golden Head Sleeper Goby undergoes a full quarantine period where it is monitored, treated proactively, and conditioned to accept a range of prepared foods. This ensures your goby arrives healthy, stable, and fully ready to thrive in your reef tank.