Diamond Goby

Diamond Goby

Valenciennea puellaris

Also known as: Diamond Watchman Goby, Orange-Spotted Sleeper Goby, Pretty Prawn Goby

🧂 Saltwater ✌️ Peaceful 🟡 Moderate 🥩 Carnivore Reef Safe

A white-bodied goby covered in rows of bright orange diamond-shaped spots. Constantly sifts sand through its mouth and gills, keeping the sand bed clean and aerated — a natural janitor for reef tanks.

Tank Size

30 gal
minimum (55+ preferred)

Temperature

74–82°F
23–28°C

pH Range

8.1–8.4
water acidity

Max Size

6"
15.2 cm

Lifespan

3–5 years
typical in captivity

Swim Level

Bottom
preferred zone

Care Notes

Requires a deep fine sand bed of at least 3 inches. May bury corals placed on the sand bed. Can be difficult to keep well-fed in tanks without a mature sand bed rich in microfauna.

Feeding

Frozen mysis and brine shrimp targeted near the sand bed. Supplement with enriched frozen foods. May starve in tanks with sparse sand beds.

Compatible Tank Mates

Blue Green Chromis 3" Pink Skunk Clownfish 3.5" Skunk Clownfish 4" Orange Skunk Clownfish 4.5" Talbot's Damselfish 2.5" Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse 3" Melanurus Wrasse 5" Cleaner Wrasse 4" Yellow Coris Wrasse 5" Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse 3" Firefish Goby 3" Yellow Watchman Goby 4"

Use Caution With

Ocellaris Clownfish 3" True Percula Clownfish 3" Yellowtail Damselfish 2.5" Blue Tang 12" Yellow Tang 8" Kole Tang 7" Clarkii Clownfish 5" Tomato Clownfish 5" Scopas Tang 8" Naso Tang 18" Convict Tang 8" Azure Damselfish 2.5"

Incompatible With

Maroon Clownfish 6" Blue Devil Damselfish 3" Powder Blue Tang 9" Achilles Tang 10" Purple Tang 10" Three Stripe Damselfish 3" Domino Damselfish 5" Four Stripe Damselfish 3" Jewel Damselfish 6" Clown Tang 15" Catalina Goby 2.5" Volitan Lionfish 15"

Check Compatibility

Want to check if Diamond Goby is compatible with a specific fish? Use our compatibility checker to build your complete tank.