{"product_id":"tiger-wardi-sleeper-goby-valenciennea-wardii","title":"Tiger Wardi Sleeper Goby (Valenciennea wardii)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Tiger Wardi Sleeper Goby is one of the most striking and functional sand-sifting fish available in the hobby. A beautiful cream-coloured body is marked with three wide brown-orange barred stripes, while the first dorsal fin carries a distinctive false eyespot and an electric blue band runs beneath each eye, making this one of the most visually impressive gobies in the \u003cem\u003eValenciennea\u003c\/em\u003e genus. Beyond its good looks, the Tiger Wardi earns its keep as a tireless sand bed worker, constantly sifting substrate and helping manage nuisance cyanobacteria and detritus accumulation. For a reef keeper who wants a fish that is beautiful, peaceful, useful, and full of personality all at once, this is a standout choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy we love it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBold tiger-striped patterning with an eyespot dorsal fin and electric blue facial markings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDedicated sand-sifter that actively aerates the substrate and manages cyanobacteria\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeaceful and reef safe, compatible with a wide range of community fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eForms symbiotic relationships with pistol shrimp, creating shared burrows where both species benefit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFascinating burrowing and den-building behaviour makes for endlessly entertaining observation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSuggested parameters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperature: 24 to 26°C (75 to 79°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSalinity: 1.025 to 1.026 SG\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epH: 8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlkalinity: 8 to 10 dKH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCalcium: 400 to 450 ppm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMagnesium: 1250 to 1400 ppm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNitrate: 5 to 20 ppm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhosphate: 0.03 to 0.12 ppm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare and temperament\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDifficulty: Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperament: Peaceful toward most tankmates; territorial toward conspecifics and similarly shaped bottom-dwelling fish in smaller systems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReef safe: Yes, fully compatible with corals and most ornamental invertebrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMinimum tank size: 55 gallons with a fine-grained open sandbed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBest maintained in well-established reef or fish-only aquariums with wide-open, fine-grained (1 to 2 mm) sandy areas along with some small rubble; these fish are burrow dwellers and will normally seek protection under low overhanging rocks or burrow underneath rock to form a secure home\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBe aware that in smaller systems this species can significantly deplete the microfauna population in the substrate; a well-stocked sandbed or connected refugium helps sustain a natural food supply\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA tight-fitting lid is essential; this species will jump when startled\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDiet\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Tiger Wardi is a carnivore that feeds primarily by sifting mouthfuls of sand and extracting small organisms, but supplemental feeding is essential in most aquarium systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrozen mysis shrimp (staple)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrozen brine shrimp, calanus, and enriched artemia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinely chopped meaty marine foods including krill, scallop, and squid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall sinking enriched shrimp meal pellets are an excellent way of keeping them well fed; they also take a wide variety of flake foods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSoaking frozen foods in vitamin and fatty acid supplements is encouraged; multiple small feedings per day rather than one large feeding mirrors natural foraging behaviour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLive adult fortified brine shrimp, glass shrimp, and blackworms are excellent options if having difficulty enticing a feeding response in new arrivals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeed three to four times daily; consistent supplemental feeding is critical since most systems cannot supply enough sandbed microfauna alone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCompatibility and tankmates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent with clownfish, tangs, angelfish, wrasses, dartfish, and most peaceful reef community fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnly one Tiger Wardi is recommended per aquarium unless a confirmed mated pair; this species is not compatible with other members of the \u003cem\u003eValenciennea\u003c\/em\u003e genus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMay show territoriality in smaller aquariums toward similarly shaped bottom-dwelling fish such as firefish, blennies, and other gobies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShould not be housed with aggressive or fin-nipping fish such as groupers, dottybacks, triggerfish, or angelfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairs beautifully with a pistol shrimp for the full symbiotic burrow-building experience\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHealth and acclimation notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis species can be very shy when first introduced into a new aquarium; more assertive tankmates are better added after it has had time to acclimatize and establish a burrow site. Consistent and frequent feeding is the most important factor in long-term success with this species. Some specimens waste away despite appearing well fed, which can be a sign of intestinal worms; sourcing healthy, established individuals is important. A populated refugium connected to the display system significantly improves the chances of long-term thriving by supplementing the natural microfauna supply in the sandbed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat you are buying\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou will receive: 1 Tiger Wardi Sleeper Goby (Valenciennea wardii)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColour intensity and bar definition can vary between individuals; kept in ideal conditions the striping and blue facial accents become more vivid with time\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlow acclimation is strongly recommended. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as this species will jump when startled.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Little Shop of Coral","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53575291175185,"sku":null,"price":70.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/5196\/6737\/files\/VALENCIENNEAWARDIITIGERWARDISLEEPERGOBY.png?v=1779225291","url":"https:\/\/littleshopofcoral.ca\/products\/tiger-wardi-sleeper-goby-valenciennea-wardii","provider":"Little Shop of Coral","version":"1.0","type":"link"}