Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Blue Cheek Goby
Valenciennea strigata
Also called Blueband goby, Golden-head sleeper goby, Golden headed sleeper goby, Blueband glider goby, Pennant glider
From Indo-Pacific, from East Africa east to the Tuamotu Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to Sydney, Australia; clear outer lagoons and seaward reefs over sand, rubble and hard bottoms, usually 1 to 6 m (to 25 m)12
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Elongated sleeper goby
A long, pale goby with a pearly white body and a bright golden-yellow head. As its names blueband and blue cheek goby suggest, a blue band marks the cheek.32
Personality what they are like
Peaceful toward most fish, but it may claim territory against other gobies, blennies or dartfish in smaller tanks.3
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Spends the day hovering near its burrow and repeatedly taking mouthfuls of sand to filter out food.13
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Rated easy care. It is a known jumper, so fit a tight lid. Its constant sifting keeps the sand bed turned over; it does best in an established tank with a lively sand bed.3
Home where they are happiest
A marine aquarium of at least about 115 litres (30 US gallons) with a deep sand bed and rubble or rock to dig under, and a secure lid. Reef safe.32
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Sifts the sand for small bottom-living invertebrates, small fish and fish eggs in the wild. In tanks feed frozen or live mysis and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp once or twice a day.13
Company who they like around
Lives in monogamous pairs in the wild, and both partners stay close to each other. Keep singly or as a mated pair.12
The story where it all began
Described by Broussonet in 1782, it is the type species of the genus Valenciennea. It is a long-standing reef aquarium fish, kept for its colours and its sand-sifting habits.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Its burrow usually has two entrances, but the pair keeps one sealed with rubble, sand and algae.2
- 2
Both members of a pair guard each other to keep their partnership exclusive.1
- 3
It feeds by taking in mouthfuls of sand and filtering out tiny animals through its gills, which keeps the sand bed turned over.3
- 4
It is the type species for its whole genus, meaning the genus Valenciennea is defined around it.2
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed 20 June 2017)1
- Taxonomy
- Described by Broussonet in 1782; type species of the genus Valenciennea2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Blue Cheek Goby. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Salinity checkevery week
- Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
- Water testevery week
- Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
- Glass cleanevery week
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Blue Cheek Goby?
Feed your Blue Cheek Goby small amounts of frozen or live mysis and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp once or twice a day. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests feeding small amounts once or twice daily.13 Furry Diary plan
What does a Blue Cheek Goby eat, and what should it never eat?
In the wild it sifts sand for small invertebrates, fish and fish eggs. In a tank, offer frozen or live mysis and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp. Avoid any food that is not suitable for marine fish, and always check with a vet for specific concerns.13
How much space does a Blue Cheek Goby need?
A marine aquarium of at least about 115 litres (30 US gallons) is recommended. It needs a deep sand bed and rubble or rock to dig under, plus a secure lid as it is a known jumper.32
What temperature, light or water does a Blue Cheek Goby need?
Keep it in a marine aquarium with stable temperature and salinity. Furry Diary's plan suggests checking temperature daily and salinity weekly, topping up evaporation with fresh RO water. For exact numbers, ask your exotic-pet vet or a good breeder. Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Blue Cheek Goby's home?
Furry Diary's starting plan recommends cleaning the glass weekly, testing water weekly, and doing a 10-20% water change every two weeks. This helps keep the sand bed healthy for your goby. Furry Diary plan
Can a Blue Cheek Goby live with others?
Yes, it is peaceful toward most fish, but may claim territory against other gobies, blennies or dartfish in smaller tanks. In the wild it lives in monogamous pairs, so keep it singly or as a mated pair.312
How long does a Blue Cheek Goby live?
Lifespan varies depending on care and environment. For a more accurate estimate, ask your exotic-pet vet or a good breeder.
Can I handle a Blue Cheek Goby?
It is best not to handle this fish as it is delicate and a known jumper. Enjoy watching it hover near its burrow and sift sand instead.31
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FishBase: Valenciennea strigata fishbase.seused for range, size, depth, diet, monogamy, IUCN
- Wikipedia: Valenciennea strigata en.wikipedia.orgused for names, describer, burrows, type species, habitat
- Saltwaterfish.com: Golden Headed Sleeper Goby saltwaterfish.comused for aquarium care, tank size, appearance, diet, temperament
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.