Valenciennea helsdingenii (Bleeker, 1858)
Twostripe goby
Valenciennea helsdingenii
photo by Baur, J.-C.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  25 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 45 m,
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: southern Red Sea (Ref. 34105) and East Africa (where common, Ref. 9710) to Indonesia, north to southern Japan (Ref. 9710), south to the Great Barrier Reef (Ref. 2334).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 11-11. Characterized by pale grey body color with broad white midlateral stripe bordered by pair of black to brownish stripes; first dorsal fin with large black spot; truncate to slightly emarginate caudal fin, ray above and below central three rays prolonged as filament in adult; length of caudal fin 2.4-5.0 in SL; longitudinal scale series 127-146; ctenoid body scales except cycloid on abdomen; head or midline of nape without scales; in adult, cycloid scales extending forward on side of nape to above middle of operculum; base of pectoral fin and prepelvic area scaled in adult; depth of body 5.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  A relatively rare species occurring singly but usually in pairs over silty flat sand patches, or rubble substrates; a mound-building species. Usually found on outer reefs at the bottom of coral or rocky drop-offs, rarely in lagoons. Feeds on small burrowing animals by sifting mouthfuls of sand. Monogamous (Ref. 34105, 48637, 52884). Eggs hatched 2 days after spawning in aquaria; 35 days after, the larvae reached 5.25 mm.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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