Line Glider - Valenciennea herlesingii

Line Glider (Valenciennea herlesingii)

The Line Glider is an attractive sand-sifting marine goby recognised for its elongated body, subtle striping and constant activity around the aquarium substrate. Peaceful and useful in established marine systems, it spends much of its time taking mouthfuls of sand and filtering out small food particles before releasing the cleaned substrate through its gills. Best suited to mature aquariums with a deep sandy area, secure rockwork and calm tankmates.

Common Name:
Line Glider, Line Glider Goby

Scientific Name (Latin):
Valenciennea herlesingii

Maximum Size:
Approximately 14–16 cm

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Line Glider is associated with tropical Indo-Pacific reef environments where it inhabits sandy lagoons, reef margins and open areas close to coral and rocky structure.

It spends much of its time close to the substrate, feeding on small organisms and organic material found within the sand.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: SG 1.024–1.026
Nitrate: Low and stable
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm

Temperament:
Peaceful

The Line Glider is generally peaceful towards unrelated marine fish and is best suited to calm community aquariums.

It may become territorial towards similar sand-sifting gobies, particularly where suitable substrate area is limited.

Diet:
Carnivore / Sand-Sifting Micro-Predator

The Line Glider naturally feeds on small crustaceans, worms and other tiny organisms living within the substrate.

In the aquarium, offer a varied diet including frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped marine foods and quality sinking marine pellets.

Regular supplementary feeding is important even where the fish is actively sifting sand.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 200 litres

A mature aquarium with a generous sandy footprint is strongly recommended.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Line Glider is an active bottom-dwelling fish that spends much of the day sifting mouthfuls of sand in search of food.

It may create shallow depressions or burrows beneath secure rockwork and often remains close to these areas.

Its constant sand-processing behaviour can help keep the substrate surface turned over and visually clean.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe

The Line Glider is generally considered reef safe and does not normally damage healthy corals, clams or established ornamental invertebrates.

However, its sand-sifting activity may occasionally deposit sand onto low-growing corals or frags positioned close to the substrate.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Provide a mature aquarium with a deep bed of fine, soft sand and plenty of natural microfauna.

Avoid coarse or sharp substrate, as this can damage the mouth and gill area during sand-sifting.

Rockwork should be positioned securely on a stable base so burrowing activity cannot undermine the aquascape.

Supplementary feeding is essential, particularly in newer or less mature aquariums where the sandbed may not contain enough natural food.

Avoid aggressive tankmates that may prevent the goby from feeding or force it to remain hidden.

A tightly fitted aquarium lid is strongly recommended, as Valenciennea gobies are capable jumpers.

Suitable for:
Intermediate

Availability:
Availability can vary depending on season, collection area and supplier.

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.