{"product_id":"long-finned-goby-pair","title":"Long-finned Goby Pair | Valenciennea longipinnis","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Long-finned Goby, also known as the Striped Sleeper Goby, is a peaceful, hard-working sand-sifter with real character. Sold here as a bonded pair, these gobies spend the day scooping mouthfuls of sand, sifting out food and keeping the sand bed clean and turned over. Attractive, endearing and useful, they are a lovely addition to a mature reef with an established sand bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eValenciennea longipinnis is found across the tropical western Pacific, living over sandy and rubble-strewn areas near reefs, usually in pairs sharing a burrow. It processes the substrate constantly, extracting tiny crustaceans, worms and organic matter. In the aquarium it needs a deep, fine sand bed and mature live rock hosting a healthy population of microfauna to forage on.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA pale, elongated goby patterned with blue and orange lines and spots along the flanks and fins, with tall, flowing dorsal fins that give the fish its name. Males display more elaborate finnage. A healthy specimen is rounded through the belly and actively sifting; a pinched or hollow belly is a warning sign, as these gobies can slowly starve in tanks lacking food in the sand.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and non-aggressive towards other fish, though a bonded pair will defend their chosen burrow. They pose no threat to corals or ornamental invertebrates, but their constant sand-sifting can shower low-mounted corals with sand and rearrange the substrate, so place corals with that in mind. They suit calm community reefs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrimarily a carnivore feeding on the fauna it sifts from the sand, supplemented with mysis, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood and quality frozen and pellet foods. Because sand-sifting alone rarely provides enough, offer several small feeds daily and watch that both fish are eating and staying well filled.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of around 150 L, with 200 L or larger recommended, and importantly a mature system with a deep, soft sand bed rich in microfauna. Maintain temperature at 24–26°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. A tight-fitting lid is important, as sleeper gobies will jump when startled. It is reef safe with caution only because of its sand-showering habit, not because it harms livestock.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese gobies form monogamous pairs and will spawn in the aquarium, laying eggs in a burrow which the male tends. However, the pelagic larvae are very small and difficult to feed, so successful rearing is rare in home systems. Providing a settled pair with a good sand bed and steady feeding is the realistic goal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eValenciennea longipinnis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLong-finned Goby (Striped Sleeper Goby)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical western Pacific; sandy reef margins\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 3–5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; sand fauna, mysis, brine and quality prepared foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–26°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature reef aquariums with an established sand bed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe with caution\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include clownfish, fairy and flasher wrasses, small tangs, cardinalfish, anthias and other peaceful reef fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with aggressive or territorial fish that will outcompete them for food, other sand-sifting gobies that compete for the same resources, and predators large enough to eat them.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234134475043,"sku":"AA2386-S","price":85.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234134507811,"sku":"AA2386","price":95.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234134540579,"sku":"AA2386-L","price":105.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-18cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351936483619,"sku":"AA2386-XL","price":120.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562740039971,"sku":"AA2386-S-IMP","price":85.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562740072739,"sku":"AA2386-M-IMP","price":95.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562740105507,"sku":"AA2386-L-IMP","price":105.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-18cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562740138275,"sku":"AA2386-XL-IMP","price":120.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/long-finned-goby-pair-43090650267939.webp?v=1790305845","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/long-finned-goby-pair","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}