Miscellaneous Fish :
Below is a diverse listing of fish belonging to many different families. Because the information on the fish in this category varies, please refer to each fish for specific information on classification, behavior, care and maintenance.
1-Harlequin Tusk
Choerodon fasciatus
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 10"
Color Form: Blue, Orange
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Australia, Indonesia
Family: Labridae
The Harlequin Tusk originates from the reefs of the Indian Ocean and Australia. Indian Ocean Tusks have orange stripes with white margins and a hint of blue adjacent to the tail of the fish. Australian Tusks have orange stripes with vivid blue margins starting from the pectoral fin, along the fishes back to their tail. Both of these beautiful color forms have bright blue teeth or tusks used to crunch invertebrates. They are a wonderful fish for a FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) aquarium. These fish are typically shy when at a small size, but will in time gain personality and confidence as they mature.
A 125 gallon or larger aquarium with plenty of live rock for hiding places and moderately aggressive, active fish such as Angels, Tangs, and smaller Triggers is an acceptable environment. Keep only one specimen per tank. Although they will not bother corals, they will eat any small crustacean such as snails or crabs.
The Harlequin Tusk Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 2-1/2" to 3-1/2"; Medium: 3-1/2" to 4"; Medium/Large: 4" to 5" Large: 5" to 6"; XLarge: 6" to 7"; XXLarge: 7" to 9"
2-Bicolor Goatfish
Parupeneus barberinoides
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 10"
Color Form: Black, Red, White, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji, Melanesia
Family: Mullidae
The Bicolor Goatfish, is also referred to as the Dash and Dot, Half and Half Goatfish, and Swarthy-headed Goatfish. It has a burgundy anterior and yellow posterior divided by a white band. There is a black dot on the posterior portion and a pair of white stripes on the anterior portion giving it the name Dash and Dot Goatfish. Both head and tail also have blue markings.
A 125 gallon or larger aquarium with plenty of swimming room is recommended, and it needs non-aggressive tank mates. The bottom of the tank should be sandy so it may use its barbels to sift through the substrate in search of food (invertebrates, small crustaceans, worms). Because it eats the invertebrates, the nitrogen load capacity of the sand will be reduced and it will be well-oxygenated due to the sifting.
The diet should consist of fresh or frozen meaty preparations. If the aquarium is fish-only, it will keep the bottom of the tank immaculate by eating fallen meaty foods. It should be fed 3-4 times daily.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 1-1/2"; Medium: 1-1/2" to 2"; Large: 2" to 4"
3- Marine Betta
Calloplesiops altivelis
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 8"
Color Form: Black, White
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji, Indonesia
Family: Plesiopidae
The Marine Betta, sometimes referred to as the Comet, is found in rocky crevasses, at depths up to 45 meters. It is a hardy and disease-resistant fish. A predator by nature, it assumes a "head down" position, with its false "eye spot" near the tail resembling the head of a moray eel.
The Marine Betta is not commonly kept in a reef-style aquarium, but it is reported to be safe with corals and anemones, however, it will eat all small fish and shrimp. It is nocturnal and requires hiding places to provide it shelter from bright lighting, being more active at dusk.
When first introduced into the aquarium, live saltwater feeder shrimp should be used to entice this fish to eat. Using live foods such as feeder fish or shrimp will help it adjust. Once acclimated, it can be fed meaty foods and frozen preparations 2-4 times weekly.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small; 1-1/2" to 2-1/2" Small/Medium; 2-1/2" to 3" Medium; 3" to 4" Medium/Large: 4" to 5"; Large; 5" - 6"
4-Assorted Flounder
Bothus lunatus
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 1' 2"
Color Form: Black, Blue
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Caribbean, Fiji, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu
Family: Bothidae
The Flounder, also known as Plate Fish or Peacock Flounder, is laterally compressed and lays on its side on the bottom of the ocean or aquarium. Early in development, both eyes migrate to the left or right side, usually the left. The Flounder has a dull color with occasional light blue spotting. This allows it to lay in the sand, where the dull colors blend in making it very hard to see.
It requires a 125 gallon or larger aquarium with a sandy bottom which will allow it to blend in and change positions. It will eat most any invertebrate or small fish that come within its vicinity.
The diet should consist of chopped marine meats.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3" Large; 3" to 5"
5-Yellow Goatfish
Parupeneus cyclostoma
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 1' 8"
Color Form: Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji, Indonesia, Melanesia
Family: Mullidae
The Yellow Goatfish is also referred to as the Yellowsaddle Goatfish, or Goldsaddle Goatfish. It is a solid golden-yellow color from head to tail.
A 135 gallon or larger aquarium with large areas to swim, and some hiding places is required. The young Yellow Goatfish may sift the sandy bottom of the tank in search of invertebrates to eat. The older Yellow Goatfish is prone to eat small crustaceans, fish, and worms.
The diet should consist of a variety of meaty items fed at least four times daily.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 1-1/2"; Medium: 1-1/2" to 2"; Large: 2" to 4"; Xlrg 4" to 6"
6-Yellow Back Goatfish
Parupeneus barberinus
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 1' 4"
Color Form: Blue, Green, White, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Central Pacific
Family: Mullidae
Goatfish are relatively new to the hobby, but fast growing in popularity. If you're looking for the unexpected, these hardy characters actively patrol the sand bed to satisfy their appetites, making them a unique addition to your FOWLR cleanup crew.
Torpedo-shaped Goatfishes have a triangular cross-section, two separate dorsal fins, a slightly underslung mouth, and two distinctive firm barbels protruding from their chins. They use these "whiskers" to probe and "taste" for invertebrates buried in the substrate. Like goats, they roam in groups and forage the bottom for anything edible; worms, crustaceans, mollusks and other small invertebrates are staples.
A 125 gallon or larger aquarium with plenty of swimming room is recommended, and it needs non-aggressive tank mates. The bottom of the tank should be sandy so it may use its barbels to sift through the substrate in search of food. Because it eats invertebrates, the nitrogen load capacity of the sand will be reduced and it will be well-oxygenated due to the sifting.
The diet should consist of fresh or frozen meaty preparations. If the aquarium is fish-only, it will keep the bottom of the tank immaculate by eating fallen meaty foods. It should be fed 3-4 times daily.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3" Large: 3" to 4"
7-Harlequin Bass
Serranus tigrinus
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 4"
Color Form: Black, Tan, White, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Caribbean, Tropical Western Atlantic
Family: Serranidae
The Harlequin Bass is an unusual striking yellow and black mottled mottled color on the ventral side, with black and white mottling on the dorsal half. These fishes are extremely hardy, and make a great candidate for beginners. A 30 gallon or larger aquarium with abundant hiding places provides a good environment.
As the Harlequin Bass matures and grows, it may prey on any smaller fish or small crustacean tank mates. Although these fishes can boss around some smaller tank mates, they are not normally overly aggressive to dissimilar species. They do not normally take kindly to other Dwarf Sea Basses or even bottom dwelling fishes that occupy the same territory, so keep a close eye on them when mixing similar fishes or ones that occupy the same territory. Ideally only one Harlequin Bass per tank is recommended, unless a bonded pair can be obtained.
A sturdy species, the Harlequin Bass requires a diet consisting of a variety of chopped live meaty items and frozen foods.
Approximate Purchase Size: Medium: 2" to 3"; Large 3" to 4-1/2"
8-Jackknife Fish
Equetus lanceolatus
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 9"
Color Form: Black, White
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Sciaenidae
The Jackknife Fish originating from the Caribbean and is an interestingly shaped fish, with long dorsal and caudal fins. The formation of these two fins resemble a Jackknife, hence its common name. These fish are silver in color with a black barred pattern. Although they are not reef-safe, they are a wonderful fish for a saltwater fish only aquarium.
It requires a peaceful community in a 125-gallon or larger aquarium with a sandy bottom, and abundant amounts of live rock for both hiding places, and a supplemental food source. If incorporating more than one into the aquarium, be sure to add them at the same time to reduce the chances of aggression. It tends to hide during the acclimation process to the new aquarium until it feels secure. This species may consume crustaceans and other motile invertebrates in the reef aquariums.
Regular meals consisting of a variety of live items such as black worms and brine shrimp and prepared meaty items should bring it out of hiding. The Jackknife fish will comb the sandy bottom looking for worms, crustaceans, and small fish if it is hungry. It may even eat the occasional fireworm.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 4"
Fast, friendly and full of personality, these hard-to-find Australian Stripeys are a joy to watch in the home reef aquarium. Preferring to school, this little jewel is peaceful, but far from shy! Be one of the first hobbyists to enjoy keeping a thriving group of Stripeys in your showcase aquarium!
Sometimes categorized with Butterflyfish, the Australian Stripey is actually a Sea Chub that can be recognized by a deep, compressed body, and distinctly slanting black and yellow stripes. This species lives on rocky and coral reefs in protected coastal and estuarine waters around Hawaii, Japan, China, New Caledonia and Australia.
An omnivore, the Australian Stripey readily accepts frozen and freeze-dried diets containing algae, supplemented withdried algae and vitamin-enriched frozen mysis shrimp, andfrozen brine shrimp.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 2"
9-Australian Stripey
Microcanthus strigatus
Minimum Tank Size: 120 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: No
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 6"
Color Form: Black, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Australia
Family: Kyphosidae
10-Bluestripe Snapper
Lutjanus kasmira
Minimum Tank Size: 300 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 10"
Color Form: Blue, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji, Indonesia, Maldives
Family: Lutjanidae
One of the most widespread of the snappers, the Bluestripe Snapper, also known as the Blue-Line Sea Perch, ranges from the Red Sea south to Madagascar and east to India, Asia, Indonesia, Australia and a number of Pacific Islands including Hawaii. Your specimen will be from Fiji, Indonesia, or Maldives, and make a hardy and rewarding edition to your FOWLR aquarium.
The Bluestripe Snapper's body is moderately deep in profile, with a distinctly steeply-sloped head. The back and sides of the fish are bright yellow, while the underside fades to white, presumably as camouflage to disappear against the bright ocean surface when viewed from below. Four bright-blue stripes run lengthwise across the side of the fish, with several faint greyish stripes on the lowermost part of sides.
The Bluestripe Snapper is a schooling fish and should be housed with 3 or more tank mates. The Bluestripe Snapper should be offered a diet of meaty foods such as chopped frozen silversides, krill, vitamin-enriched brine and mysis shrimp along with other carnivore preparations.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1-1/2 to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3-1/4"; Large: 3-1/4" to 4-1/2"; X-Large: 4-1/2" to 6"
11-Captive-Bred Porkfish
Anisotremus virginicus
Minimum Tank Size: 180 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: No
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 1'
Color Form: Black, Orange, White, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Captive-Bred - USA
Family: Haemulidae
We are pleased to offer the Rising Tide Captive-Bred Porkfish, which originates from the Western Atlantic. Displaying a yellow head and fins accenting a silver-gray base with two black vertical stripes. They are a peaceful fish that make a wonderful addition to a peaceful saltwater fish only aquarium. What makes this fish even more appealing to aquarists is the fact that each Porkfish is captive-bred to help protect the fragile reef environments of the world.
The Captive-Bred Porkfish has other unique advantages over wild-harvested species. For one, the Captive-Bred Porkfish is very hardy and more accustomed to conditions found in home aquariums. Therefore, it makes a great choice for novices and seasoned aquarists alike.
A 180 gallon or larger aquarium with abundant open space to swim is required. Several Porkfish, in a school, would be suitable if there is enough room in the aquarium. In the wild these fish prefer to hover around reefs and prefers a cave or ledge for refuge. These fish have been known to occasionally pick parasites from the bodies of tank mates. Do not house the Captive-Bred Porkfish with aggressive species, and adults should be the first to be introduced into a community tank. They are not a good candidate for a reef aquarium, as they will readily consume any crabs, snails, shrimp and starfish.
The Captive-Bred Porkfish diet consists of a variety of meaty foods such as chopped shrimp, marine fish flesh, and prepared frozen food for carnivores, and vegetable matter.
These fish will arrive in their juvenile coloration. As the Captive-Bred Porkfish adjusts to the aquarium and matures, the adult coloration will be visible when the fish is approximately 4-5" in length.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1-1/2" to 2-1/4”; Medium: 2-1/4" to 3-1/2"
12-Two-line Monocle Bream
Scolopsis bilineatus
Minimum Tank Size: 180 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: No
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 8"
Color Form: Black, White, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji
Family: Nemipteridae
The Two-line Monocle Bream is white with black edges and yellow dorsal fin. This fish is very hardy, and will make a wonderful addition to the fish-only aquarium. These fish are very interesting to watch in the aquarium due to their inquisitive behavior. Scolopsis are commonly called Breams and are a close relative to both Grunts or Sweetlips and Drums.
Scolopsis are peaceful sand-stirring fish that will take in mouthfuls of sand in order to find foods such as crustaceans and worms. Adapting well to most aquariums, these fish make the perfect addition for the novice or expert alike.
A varied diet of meaty foods is ideal for Scolopsis. In the aquarium, it should be fed a varied diet of mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, frozen preparations and other meaty items.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small; 1" to 2" Medium; 2" to 3" Large; 3" to 4"
