Sleeper blue dot goby (Valenciennea sexguttata) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Chalk goby, Sixspot goby
Family
Gobiidae (gobies)
Origin
Indian Ocean and western Pacific, in bays and lagoons at 3–25 m on silt or sand.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
13 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
200 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
yes

Care

A sand-dwelling goby that burrows under rocks on silty or sandy bottoms. The article gives 14 cm. Provide a deep sand bed and stable rockwork, as it digs underneath. Tank size here is an estimate. The sources give no water figures, so the temperature, pH and salinity shown are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, specific gravity 1.023–1.026, with stable, well-filtered water. Add it to an established tank with a living sand bed; sand sifters often lose weight in new systems. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valencienneasexguttata). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Not covered in detail by the sources. Sleeper gobies sift sand for small invertebrates; in the aquarium offer frozen mysis, brine shrimp and other small meaty foods several times a day and keep a mature sand bed.

Breeding

No captive breeding details are given in the sources.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe and peaceful. Its digging moves sand onto corals near the bottom. Keep one or a pair.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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