Cephalopholis aurantia

(Valenciennes, 1828)

Golden Hind

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Western Indian Ocean to Japan and the Central Pacific Ocean.

Size: 12 inches (30 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits steep deep seaward reefs and found at depths between 100 – 1000 feet (30 – 300 m), where it feeds on small fishes and crustaceans

General Husbandry: Rarely ever seen in the trade, and quite attractive, having a pale orange body with red or yellow dots, yet quite expensive if and when available!

Due to its collection depths, best maintained in ‘large’ fish-only dimly lit aquariums with several caves and ledges. Highly secretive, and will mostly stay in hiding places until food arrives in the aquarium. Overall, quite peaceful, at least to tankmates too large to be eaten.

As to diet, these are carnivores and require a diet high in protein and amino acids (lipids/fats). Products such as marine fish and crustacean flesh, clams, and other marine meaty foods should make up the majority of their diet. Therefore a meaty diet such as enriched chopped fresh fish or shrimp flesh, and/or frozen carnivore foods should be fed. And because these are not overly active fish, their metabolism is somewhat low, so feeding once every other day should suffice nicely.

May be difficult to feed in the early days in the aquarium and if so, (if small live marine fish are not available) live glass/grass shrimp and/or small crabs, e.g., fiddler crabs may be needed to sustain the fish.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Serranidae

Subfamily: Epinephelinae

Genus: Cephalopholis

FYI: A human food fish in local areas.

Not safe with smaller fishes, crabs, and small ornamental crustaceans.

Will usually stay near areas offering protection, i.e., caves and ledges.

One per aquarium.

Enhanced filtration is recommended as these fish produce a large amount of waste products.

As to live foods, occasional small live mollies and/or guppies can provide for that natural feeding excitement found in the wild should live marine fish not be available. Nevertheless, feeding small freshwater live fish should be considered a special treat and not become a steady diet since they lack the fatty acids that marine fish need to stay healthy.

Also, keep in mind that feeder goldfish, which cannot survive but a few minutes in seawater, also carry many different bacteria, fungi, and protozoa that can cause parasitic and infectious diseases. Furthermore, feeder goldfish can also cause blockage in the digestive track and/or kidney along with liver damage due to fatty degeneration in the consuming fish. And this will ultimately lead to the consumer’s death. In fact, fatty liver degeneration is a common cause of death in cases where marine fish are fed a diet that primarily consists of goldfish (as with Lionfish for example). Also, its possible the large air bladder in the goldfish can upset the internal balance in this fish, sometimes causing it to float at the surface, possibly killing it.

Unsuitable for most home aquariums.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Peaceful (will eat smaller fish and crustaceans)

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: With caution

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 100+ gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 81°F (22 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5