Tiger watchman goby (Valenciennea wardii) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Ward's sleeper goby
Family
Gobiidae (gobies)
Origin
Indian Ocean and western Pacific, in bays, reefs and lagoons at 12–35 m on sand or silt.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
12 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
250 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
yes

Care

A sand-dwelling sleeper goby. The article gives 15 cm standard length, above the list's 12 cm. Provide a deep sand bed and stable rockwork. 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 plenty of sand life. Listed by the IUCN as Least Concern. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valencienneawardii). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Not covered in detail by the sources. It sifts sand for small invertebrates; keep a mature sand bed and feed frozen mysis, brine shrimp and other small meaty foods several times a day.

Breeding

No captive breeding details are given in the sources.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe and peaceful, though its digging spreads sand over low corals. Keep one or a pair.

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

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