The Twostripe Goby, Black Lined Glidergoby, scientifically known as Valenciennea helsdingenii, is a captivating marine fish species belonging to the Gobiidae family. It is recognized for its distinctive appearance and intriguing behavior.
Description & Characteristics
Valenciennea helsdingenii can reach a maximum size of 25.0 cm. It is characterized by a slender, elongated body and a flattened head. The most striking feature of this species is its unique color pattern. Its body is a pale brown, adorned with two prominent dark brown stripes that extend from its head to the base of its tail. This color pattern, along with its black-lined, gliding behavior, has earned it the common names “Twostripe Goby” and “Black Lined Glidergoby”.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Twostripe Goby, Black Lined Glidergoby, Valenciennea helsdingenii, is commonly found in various habitats, including gravel soils, rubble rocks, muddy grounds, and reef slopes. It prefers a variety of marine zones, inhabiting the subtidal, sublittoral, infralittoral, and deep zone of the oceans from the lower limit of the intertidal zone to the shelf edge at about 200 m water depth. Its adaptability allows it to thrive in various environments within this neritic zone. The Valenciennea helsdingenii is often associated with reefs, especially those facing the open sea, where it exhibits its distinctive gliding behavior, navigating the waters with ease.
Taxonomy
The species Valenciennea helsdingenii is classified within the Class: Teleostei, Order: Gobiiformes, and Family: Gobiidae. These classifications reflect its evolutionary lineage and shared characteristics with other members of these taxonomic groups.
Feeding
The Valenciennea helsdingenii is a carnivorous species with a diverse diet. It primarily feeds on a range of invertebrates, including brine shrimps and mysis. Additionally, it has been observed consuming zoobenthos, which encompasses the small organisms that live on the bottom of aquatic environments. In captivity, Valenciennea helsdingenii can be successfully fed a variety of food sources, including flakes, frozen food, and commercially available brine shrimps.
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