Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

Highly territorial and aggressive. They will defend their cave vigorously. Introduce them to the aquarium last.

Diet

Carnivore

Primarily carnivorous in the wild. Feed a variety of meaty frozen foods like mysis and brine shrimp. They quickly adapt to flake and pellet foods.

Sex ratio

Solitary

Keep singly or as a mated pair. Two males will fight relentlessly. They are capable of changing sex.

Feeding frequency

Twice daily

Feed once or twice daily. They are fast eaters. Ensure food reaches their territory in the rockwork.

Bioload

They have a low to moderate bioload. Their small size keeps waste minimal. Regular maintenance is usually sufficient.

Flow

Strong

Moderate flow is perfectly acceptable. They spend most of their time darting in and out of rocks. High flow does not bother them.

Jump risk

Yes

Prone to jumping through small gaps. A screen top or canopy is required. They often jump during aggressive encounters.

Reproduction

Oviparous

Captive breeding is possible and becoming common. They lay demersal egg masses in caves. The male aggressively guards the eggs.

Compatibility & tankmates

Reef safe

Can be very aggressive for their size. Reef safe but may eat small ornamental shrimp. Keep with fish that can hold their own.

Tank level

Middle/Bottom

They are bottom to mid-level dwellers. They require extensive rockwork with many caves. They rarely swim in open water.