Valenciennea helsdingenii

Datasheet

General Description

The Twostripe goby, scientifically known as Valenciennea helsdingenii, belongs to the Gobiidae family, specifically Valenciennea. These small fish are native to the Indo-West Pacific region, ranging from the southern Red Sea and East Africa to Indonesia and southern Japan, even extending south to the Great Barrier Reef. They have a maximum size of 25.0cm and are commonly referred to as the Twostripe goby or Blacklined glider goby.

Aquarium Suitability

For aquarists, the Twostripe goby requires careful consideration regarding experience, preparation, and extra care due to their specific needs. They are known to jump out of open tanks and demand frequent feeding, requiring 4 or more meals daily. Setting up a well-established aquarium with ample hiding places and a rich population of microorganisms is crucial for their well-being.

Care and Hardiness

With an average hardiness level, these gobies do well in pairs, preferably a male-female duo. They may display initial shyness in a new environment but tend to acclimate over time. It is essential to monitor tank structures as they tend to rearrange sand, potentially leading to rock collapses. Additionally, providing a sufficient amount of micro life in the tank ensures they have a readily available food source.

Reef Suitability

Twostripe gobies are considered reef-safe with caution, meaning they can coexist with coral reefs, but some oversight is necessary due to their sand-filtering behavior, which can lead to inadvertent covering of corals with sand.

Aquarium Setup

Setting up an aquarium for the Twostripe goby should include a minimum tank size of 600 liters with water conditions maintained within a pH range of 8.1-8.4, a temperature of 22.2-25.6°C, and a salinity level of 1.020-1.025. Ensuring a stable environment with suitable hiding spots and avoiding open tank designs is vital.

Behaviour

These gobies are generally peaceful but can display aggression towards similar species, highlighting the need for prudent tank mates selection. They exhibit sand-filtering behavior and are known to create burrows and rearrange the substrate within the aquarium.

Feeding and Diet

A recommended diet for Twostripe gobies includes small crustaceans like krill and mysis, as well as zooplankton such as Cyclops and pods. Maintaining a frequent feeding schedule with a varied diet ensures their nutritional needs are met adequately.

Dimorphism

Twostripe gobies exhibit dimorphism, appearing different based on their gender. Moreover, captive reproduction of these gobies may be possible under well-monaged aquarium conditions.

Habitat and Distribution

In the wild, Valenciennea helsdingenii inhabits regions across the East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, Australia, Japan, Indonesia, and the Central/West Pacific. They are often found in sandy substrates near coral reefs, where they play a role in filtering sand for food and creating burrows for shelter.