Half-Barred Goby
Amblygobius semicinctus
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
|---|
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Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Sand Sifting |
| Diet Type | Omnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 40 gallons |
| Max Size | 4 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Half-Barred Goby (Amblygobius semicinctus) is a sand-sifting sleeper goby that helps keep the top layer of your substrate moving as it feeds. Its body is typically greenish-brown with red-brown lines, head spotting, and several darker vertical bars—an earthy pattern that blends naturally into lagoon-style reefscapes. In the wild it’s associated with sandy lagoon and bay habitats, often living from a burrow tucked under rock or coral.
What You’ll Observe:
- Repeated “scoop-and-sift” feeding, taking mouthfuls of sand and expelling clean grains
- Regular cruising over open sand, pausing to perch near a preferred shelter
- A home base under a stable rock edge or rubble where it retreats between foraging laps
- Steady, methodical activity focused on the substrate rather than the water column
Maintain a fine sandbed with a few open areas for foraging, plus rockwork that sits securely on the bottom glass so it can’t be undermined by digging. Offer a mix of meaty frozen foods and sinking prepared foods in smaller, repeated feedings so it can graze naturally throughout the day. Sand-sifting gobies do best when the tank’s sandbed is mature and food is easy to find near their “work zone.”
Why do some “Half-Barred Gobies” look totally different (tiny cave goby vs. sand sifter)?
The common name is used for more than one species in the hobby; checking the scientific name ensures you’re getting the sand-sifting Amblygobius semicinctus.
Will it bury corals or frags with sand while it sifts?
It tends to move sand in short bursts while feeding; placing loose frags on small stands or stable rock helps keep them clear during routine sifting.
Does it actually eat nuisance algae, or is it only stirring sand?
It primarily sifts for small foods within the substrate, and may also consume some algae and film as part of that mouthful-and-sort feeding style.
Is it normal for a sand-sifting goby to disappear for a few days after introduction?
Yes—many settle in by choosing a burrow first, then gradually expand their foraging loops as they recognize feeding times.
What feeding approach works best if other fish eat faster?
Using sinking foods and placing a portion on the sand near its usual route helps it feed at its natural pace without needing to compete in mid-water.
Shipped with pure oxygen and temperature control so it arrives stress-free and ready to eat.
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