Valenciennea strigata (Broussonet, 1782)

Taxonomic Classification

Valenciennea strigata (Broussonet, 1782) is a goby species that belongs to the family Gobiidae.

Common Names

Its common names are blueband goby, golden-head sleeper goby, and pennant glider.

Geographic Range

This fish is native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.

Habitat Type

It lives in outer lagoons and the seaward side of reefs, and can occupy a range of substrate types including sand, rubble, and hard substrates.

Depth Range

It is found at depths between 1 and 25 metres (3.3 to 82.0 ft), and most individuals occur at depths of less than 6 metres (20 ft).

Burrow Usage

V. strigata primarily lives in burrows it digs under rubble, and uses these burrows both as a nesting site and as a refuge from predators.

Burrow Structure

Most of these burrows have two entrances, but only one entrance remains open, while the other is covered by rubble, sand, and algae.

Human Use and Size

This species is sold for the aquarium trade, and can reach a maximum total length of 18 centimetres (7.1 in).

Type Species Status

It is the type species of the genus Valenciennea.