Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Aggressive

This fish possesses a highly territorial and combative temperament, aggressively defending its chosen cave. It will relentlessly harass any fish that dares to enter its established boundaries, regardless of the intruder's size. Tank mates must be carefully selected to withstand its surprisingly fierce personality.

Diet

Carnivore

The diet is strictly carnivorous, consisting primarily of meaty foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and chopped seafood. A varied diet enriched with vitamins is necessary to maintain its vibrant colors. Feeding a mix of frozen and high-quality pellet foods ensures optimal health.

Sex ratio

Solitary

Males are distinctly more colorful and robust than the females. They are incredibly intolerant of other males and will fight to the death if housed together. It is best to keep them strictly individually or as a confirmed, bonded male-female pair.

Feeding frequency

Twice daily

Feeding one to two times per day is ideal for maintaining the health of this fish. Care must be taken not to overfeed, as uneaten food will quickly degrade the water quality. Small portions consumed completely within a few minutes are best.

Bioload

This fish has a low to moderate bioload, meaning it does not heavily pollute the tank. Adequate mechanical and biological filtration will easily handle its waste production. Routine maintenance and periodic water testing are still highly recommended to ensure stability.

Flow

Strong

A moderate, varied water flow perfectly simulates its natural reef environment. The flow should be strong enough to keep detritus suspended, but not so strong that the fish struggles to swim. Random, alternating currents are particularly appreciated.

Jump risk

Yes

This species is highly prone to jumping and can easily launch itself out of an uncovered tank. Startling lights or sudden shadows frequently trigger erratic darting behavior towards the surface. A secure, weighted mesh lid is absolutely mandatory to keep them safely contained.

Reproduction

Oviparous

This species is a cave spawner, meaning it lays adhesive egg clusters in dark, secluded crevices. The male takes on the sole responsibility of guarding the nest and aggressively fanning the eggs. While captive spawning occurs, successfully raising the microscopic larvae remains extremely challenging.

Compatibility & tankmates

Peaceful

It can be highly aggressive towards smaller, docile fish in the aquarium. It is best kept with larger or similarly semi-aggressive tank mates that can hold their own. Small ornamental crustaceans may also be viewed as potential prey and should be avoided.

Tank level

Middle/Bottom

It generally inhabits the lower and middle strata of the aquarium environment. You will frequently find it darting among the rockwork and carefully exploring small caves. It rarely ventures close to the bright surface unless aggressively pursuing food.