Gold Head Sleeper Goby

Important Buyer Information: At YoCamron’s Aquatics, all our livestock undergo a thorough 10-week quarantine to ensure they arrive in optimal health. Please contact us before purchasing to confirm availability and receive updates during the quarantine process. Our guarantee for live arrival applies only to shipments delivered through UPS early AM service. Please note, livestock purchased directly from our wholesaler is ONLY covered by a 2-hour live arrival guarantee under our DOA (Dead On Arrival) terms. For more details, please reach out to us directly. We’re dedicated to ensuring the best for our customers and their aquatic environments.

Gold Head Sleeper Goby (Valenciennea strigata)

Also Known As: Yellowhead Sleeper Goby, Bluecheek Goby

Sizes Available: 3–4”, 4.5–6”+

Care Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Safe: Yes (with caution—see notes below)

Minimum Tank Size: 40–75 gallons+

Origin: Indonesia, Fiji, Maldives

Diet: Carnivore/Detritivore – Pre-conditioned to Frozen Mysis, Brine Shrimp, and Sinking Pellets During Quarantine

Add a living sand-sifting powerhouse to your reef that’s as functional as it is flashy—the Gold Head Sleeper Goby is here to clean, entertain, and impress! With its shimmering white body, neon blue cheek lines, and signature metallic gold crown, this goby doesn’t just sift sand—it steals the spotlight.

Known for its constant movement, peaceful demeanor, and bottom-cleaning habits, this species is ideal for reefers looking to keep their substrate stirred and detritus-free—especially in systems prone to nutrient buildup or cyanobacteria patches.

Why Buy Your Goby from YoCamron’s Aquatics?

The Gold Head Sleeper Goby is infamously delicate in the early weeks after import, often arriving emaciated, stressed, or carrying internal parasites. At YoCamron’s, we go way beyond “observe and hope” and instead run every fish through a full 10-week scientific quarantine protocol to bring out the survivor within.

Our Quarantine Protocol Includes:

• Deworming with Fenbendazole and Levamisole to eliminate internal parasites and prevent wasting
• Kanamycin + Nitrofurazone to fight bacterial infections common in wild-caught gobies
• Formalin dips to remove flukes and external parasites
• Target training with frozen Mysis, enriched Brine Shrimp, and sinking micro-pellets to build appetite and transition to aquarium life

What You’re Getting:

• A fully eating, fattened, and active Gold Head Goby
• A peaceful, hard-working addition that constantly sifts, aerates, and cleans sand
• A fish that pairs well with shrimp gobies, clowns, firefish, and other peaceful reef-safe tankmates
• Gorgeous coloration—watch that glowing gold head flash under your reef lighting

Reef Keeper’s Notes:

• Best kept in tanks with at least 2–3” of fine sand for proper sifting behavior
• May occasionally deposit sand on corals, so place low-lying LPS carefully
• Secure lids recommended—jumpers by nature, especially in early weeks
• Can be kept solo or as a bonded pair if introduced simultaneously

Whether you’re combating dirty sandbeds or just want a peaceful, visually striking addition to your reef system, the Gold Head Sleeper Goby from YoCamron’s Aquatics is your go-to solution—with health, behavior, and feeding guaranteed.

Act fast—these gobies are rarely available fully quarantined and ready for long-term success. Message us to reserve yours today!