Valenciennea
Small gobies that glide above sand and sift it for food.
Valenciennea is a genus of small, bottom-dwelling gobies from the family Gobiidae. These fish inhabit sandy areas, frequently near coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific. They are known for spending long periods resting directly on the seafloor, a common goby trait, but they also float motionless just above the substrate. This hovering behavior gives them the nickname "glider gobies." Their habit of resting has also earned them the name "sleeper gobies," though this can cause confusion with the related Eleotridae family. As carnivorous sand-sifters, they feed by taking entire mouthfuls of sand and expelling it through their gills. Specialized gill structures filter out small crustaceans and worms from the expelled sand. This sand-sifting ability makes some species popular in marine aquariums, where they are added to clean the substrate. Certain species are monogamous. The genus was named in honor of French zoologist Achille Valenciennes. Keeping these fish in captivity is challenging. They require tanks with plenty of live sand and live rock. Suitable foods include sinking shrimp pellets. Even if they are eating properly, these fish may still die. There are currently 16 recognized species in this genus.
Quick Facts
- Type species
- Eleotris strigata
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Members of Valenciennea tend to rest directly on the substrate for extended periods, a behavior common in the family Gobiidae. However, they also float motionless directly above the substrate, which is why they are sometimes called glider gobies. Their resting behavior has resulted in the vernacular name 'sleeper gobies', which invites confusion with the related family Eleotridae. The genus was named after notable French zoologist Achille Valenciennes. Some species are known to be monogamous.
Reader's Guide
Valenciennea species are known to be carnivorous sand-sifters; to eat, they simply engulf entire mouthfuls of sand which they expel through their gills. Specialized structures in their gills filter small crustaceans and worms as the sand is expelled. This specific trait makes some members of the genus attractive to the marine aquarist, and they are often introduced into a marine aquarium for sand-sifting. However, these fish are difficult to keep in a tank. Tanks with plenty of live sand and live rock are recommended. Offer foods such as sinking shrimp pellets. Fish may die even if eating properly. The genus comprises 16 recognized species, all found over sandy bottoms in the Indo-Pacific.
Did You Know?
- Valenciennea are sometimes called glider gobies because they float motionless above the substrate.
- They are also called sleeper gobies, a name that invites confusion with the family Eleotridae.
- The genus was named after French zoologist Achille Valenciennes.
- Some species in this genus are known to be monogamous.
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