Sixspot sleeper goby

The sixspot sleeper goby is a marine sand-sifting goby of the family Gobiidae, found across the Indo-Pacific on sandy lagoon and reef flats. It has a pale, pearly-white body with a scattering of bright blue spots on the cheek and gill cover, and a stout head suited to its burrowing lifestyle. It is a peaceful, generally shy fish that spends its time sifting mouthfuls of sand to extract tiny invertebrates, keeping the substrate clean and aerated. It can be kept singly or as a bonded pair; males may squabble, so a large sandbed is needed for multiple individuals. A mature reef aquarium with a deep, fine sand bed rich in microfauna suits it best, and it is reef-safe. Because its constant sifting depletes the sand's food supply, it should be offered frozen mysis, brine shrimp, and other meaty foods, and it benefits from a well-established tank. A secure lid helps, as startled fish may jump.