Bella Goby - Valencienna bella

Bella Goby - Valencienna bella

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The Bella Goby (Valenciennea bella) is a lesser-known yet stunning species of goby that captivates aquarists with its unique appearance and behavior. Like many gobies, the Bella Goby is a bottom-dweller, known for its energetic sifting through the sand to find food. It’s ideal for peaceful reef tanks and sandbed environments, where it can show off its natural digging and foraging habits.


Description:

Common Name: Bella Goby

Scientific Name: Valenciennea bella

Family: Gobiidae

Size: Up to 6 inches (15 cm)

Coloration: The Bella Goby features a striking appearance with a predominantly pink body, accented by light yellow or cream-colored markings along the head and fins. Its bright eyes and slender body allow it to easily navigate the sandbed in search of food, and it often exhibits a distinct, upright posture when foraging.


Native Region:

The Bella Goby is native to the Indo-Pacific region, found in areas like Indonesia, the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands. It prefers sandy substrates in shallow, coastal waters where it can burrow and sift through the sand.


Aquarium Setup:

Tank Size: Suitable for tanks of at least 30 gallons (113 liters), though larger tanks are preferable to provide ample room for foraging and burrowing.

Substrate: A fine, soft sand substrate is a must for this goby. The fish enjoys burrowing and sifting sand, which is part of its natural behavior.

Live Rock: Providing live rock and caves will give the Bella Goby hiding spaces and resting areas when it’s not actively foraging.


Water Parameters:

Temperature: 74-80°F (23-27°C)

pH: 8.1-8.4

Salinity: 1.023-1.025 specific gravity

Hardness: 8-12 dKH


Care Level:

Difficulty: Moderate. While the Bella Goby is hardy, it requires a stable environment with appropriate tank conditions. It thrives in aquariums with a well-maintained sandbed and clean water.

Diet: The Bella Goby is a carnivorous bottom feeder, consuming small invertebrates, detritus, and other organic matter found in the substrate. It will also accept frozen foods, such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and high-quality sinking pellets.

Behavior: The Bella Goby is a peaceful and energetic fish that spends a lot of time burrowing in the sand and foraging for food. It may dig small burrows and constantly sift through the sand, creating small clouds of sand in the process.


Reef Compatibility:

Reef-Safe: Yes, the Bella Goby is considered reef-safe. It does not harm corals and plays an important role in the aquarium ecosystem by cleaning up detritus from the substrate.


Tank Mates:

Suitable Companions: This goby is peaceful and can live harmoniously with a wide variety of tank mates, including other peaceful fish like clownfish, wrasses, and peaceful invertebrates such as snails and shrimp.

Avoid: While peaceful, it may become territorial with other bottom-dwelling species or gobies, so it’s best to keep only one Bella Goby in a tank or provide plenty of space and hiding spots if keeping multiple.


Additional Tips:

Substrate: A fine sand substrate is essential for this fish to display its natural behaviors of digging and sifting.

Hiding Places: The Bella Goby appreciates having some hiding spots in the aquarium. It may seek shelter in rocks or caves when it’s not active or during periods of stress.

Active Behavior: The Bella Goby is an active forager and will spend most of its time searching for food and sifting through the sand. It’s a fascinating fish to watch and adds both movement and functionality to the aquarium.


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