Tiger Watchman Goby (Valenciennea Wardii)
Size: only S, M
Species Name : Valenciennea Wardii
Care Level : Easy
Temperament : Peaceful
Color : Сream, Tan, White
Diet : Carnivore
Reef Compatible : Yes
Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size : 5"
Origin : Indonesia, Sri Lanka
Family : Gobiidae
Minimum Tank Size : 30 gallons
The Tiger Watchman Goby (Valenciennea Wardii) is also known as the Ward's Sleeper, Ward's Tiger, or Tiger Sleeper Goby. The name "Watchman" comes from their behavior in the wild, where they act as watchmen for the shrimp.
They have a cream colored body with three wide brown bars along their sides, a neon blue band below each eye and a black spot on the first dorsal. They are burrow dwellers, and will normally seek protection under low overhanging rocks or actually burrow underneath rock to form a secure home. An adult Tiger Watchman Goby can reach a size of approximately 5″, making it one of the smaller Valenciennea species.
It should be housed in a 30 gallon or larger aquarium with live sand as the substrate, and an attached populated refugium. The ideal aquarium should have plenty of room at the bottom and a sandbed of at least two inches in depth. A Tiger Wardi goby will be indifferent to the amount of live rock in an aquarium, as an open sandbed is more important in order for it to sift and feed. When startled or threatened, they have been known to jump out of uncovered aquariums. Always keep the tank covered and provide plenty of hiding places to retreat to.
Like other goby species, the Tiger Wardi is known to form a symbiotic relationship with species of Pistol Shrimp. Do not house a Tiger Watchman Goby with overly aggressive and pugnacious tank-mates. It will rarely become aggressive towards other fish, but it is territorial, and will fight with its own kind unless they are a male-female pair. Only one Tiger Watchman Goby is recommended per aquarium; this species is not compatible with other members of the Valenciennea genus.
In the wild Tiger Watchman Goby gobies are primarily carnivorous, feeding on small and other material from the substrate. Multiple, small feedings per day rather than one large feeding will also create more of a natural environment for the Tiger Wardi goby as it would feed in the wild. The diet should consist of a variety of live and frozen brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, live black worms, and prepared foods for carnivores.
Size: Small 1" to 1-1/2" Medium 1 1/2" to 2 1/2" Large 2 1/2" to 4"