Care
The Twostripe Goby is an uncommon bottom-dweller known from deep outer reefs at the base of coral or rocky drop-offs where there is a sandy, silty, or rubbly substrate. Here this species usually occurs in pairs and together they excavate a shallow burrow from bits of rubble and use this as a safe refuge. A large mature reef aquarium with a deep sand bed and a well-established refugium are essential for this species, which is recommended for advanced aquarists only. Twostripe Gobies like to dig burrows underneath rocks and coral bases, so be sure that any structures are secure, and that there is a good depth of (live) sand in most parts of the aquarium. This will not only enable them to create a burrow, but is also a vital lifeline for them as they sift through this substrate in search for tiny invertebrate food items. The sand is taken in through the mouth, the food items swallowed, and the remaining sand expelled through the gills. These fish are not overly particular where they dump the sand they have sifted, and as it is usually expelled whilst the fish are in motion, it can sometimes end up dropping down onto and swamping prized corals. For this reason, they are not always a welcome addition to aquaria containing delicate coral life, and careful planning is needed. However, if their requirements can be met, it must be said that these fish do a remarkably good job of overturning the substrate and keeping it looking fresh. Wherever possible, this is a species that should be maintained in a compatible pair. Twostripe Gobies should not be kept alongside other members of the
Valenciennea genus as they will quarrel. The most significant and diagnostic characteristic for this species is the presence of a pair of parallel lines running horizontally across the length of the body. Both of these stripes are black to burgundy in colour, with the uppermost stripe starting just above the upper lip, running through the eye, continuing horizontally lengthways and ending at the posterior of the caudal fin. The lower stripe begins at the base of the upper lip, and runs parallel with the upper stripe, also to the posterior of the caudal fin. In fact, the two stripes extend to just outside of the caudal fin margin, forming small filamentous extensions, a trait which is unique to this species. Capable of jumping from open topped aquaria. May also be seen on sale as Black-lined Glider Goby, Black-lined Sleeper Goby, Railway Glider Goby or Railway Sleeper Goby.
Feeding
This species gains the vast majority of its food through sifting the contents of large established sand beds for invertebrate life. Diet can be supplemented with small sized vitamin-enriched meaty frozen foods. They will starve to death in tanks without a mature sand bed. (De-worming these fish in a quarantine tank, prior to adding to the main display would be very beneficial). Offer small amounts of food several times per day, target feeding if necessary.
Breeding
Captive breeding reports are few and far between. In the wild, these fish have been observed spawning inside small caves/burrows. The female will stay inside the burrow with the eggs for several days, whilst the male closes off the entrance and guards the perimeter.
