Ward's Tiger Goby Care Guide
Valenciennea wardii is a rare Indo-Pacific sand-sifting goby with brown body bars; it occurs in pairs on sandy lagoon and silty reef substrates.
Overview
Valenciennea wardii, known as Ward's tiger goby, is a marine fish of the family Gobiidae. It was described by Playfair in 1867. It is a sand-sifting goby recognised by a pale body marked with brown bars and a blue-white band below the eye.
Taxonomy
- Family: Gobiidae
- Genus: Valenciennea
- Scientific name: Valenciennea wardii
- Authority: Playfair, 1867
Habitat
According to FishBase the species is extremely rare and known from widely scattered localities across the Indian Ocean and western tropical Pacific. It is reef-associated, occurring over sandy areas of shallow lagoon reefs, coastal bays and inner reefs on silty slopes, recorded at 5 to 88 m and typically 5 to 20 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Maximum size: 15 cm SL
- Lifespan: 3-6 years
Diet
Valenciennea wardii is a carnivore. Like other members of the genus it feeds over sand bottoms; a fine sand bed and feeding about twice daily support its natural foraging.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful, bottom-dwelling goby that occurs in pairs in the wild. It suits reef tanks with calm tank mates such as clownfish, cardinalfish and wrasses, and should not be kept with predators.