Maiden Goby

Characterized by pale grey body color for Pacific fish with row of large orange spots on side, a series of dash-like markings below, smaller orange spots on back and blue to whitish streaks or spots on head; Indian Ocean fish with pale blue-grey body color with orange stripe across lower head, cheeks with blue markings and orange bars on side connected to pale orange stripe on lower half; third dorsal spine, longest, filamentous in juveniles under 40 mm SL; rounded caudal fin, 3.0-4.2 in SL; longitudinal scale series 79-91; ctenoid body scales, becoming cycloid anteriorly before first dorsal fin, on lower side, and midline of abdomen; head or midline of nape without scales; side of nape with scales extending forward to above middle of operculum; scaleless pectoral fin base; partly to fully scaled prepelvic area; depth of body 4.8-6.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Monogamous mating is observed as both obligate and social (Ref. 52884).

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 112; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 11 - 12

Inhabits sandy areas of clear lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Occurs in pairs and use burrows as refuge. The burrow is shallow, only a few cm, and made under large pieces of rubble. May be found on dark volcanic sand such as those in the Philippines, Indonesia, and the northern Mariana Is.

Inhabits sandy areas of clear lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710, 48637). Occurs in pairs and use burrows as refuge. Monogamous (Ref. 52884). The burrow is shallow, only a few cm, and made under large pieces of rubble. May be found on dark volcanic sand such as those in the Philippines, Indonesia, and the northern Mariana Is. Also Ref. 58652.

aquarium: commercial

Valenciennea puellaris, the Orange-spotted sleeper-goby, Orange-dashed goby, or Maiden goby, Diamond Watchman goby, is a species of goby native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. It inhabits lagoons and outer reefs where it occurs on sandy substrates with larger pieces of rubble to burrow under. It can reach a length of 20 centimetres (7.9 in) SL. It is a prevalent fish in the aquarium hobby. Its main diet is composed of zoo plankton and dead fish or insects.

Lives over moderately fine sands, and seems to be abundant in depths from 10 to 30 m; in sheltered areas in depths as shallow as 2 m. Occurs in pairs and use burrows as refuge. The burrow is shallow, only a few cm, and made under large pieces of rubble. May be found on dark volcanic sand such as those in the Philippines, Indonesia, and the northern Mariana Islands.