Plectranthias inermis

Randall, 1980

Blotchy Perchlet, Geometric Pygmy Hawk, Chequered Perchlet

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Christmas Island, Philippines, and Indonesia.

Size: 2 inches (5 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits deep coastal and inner reef drop-offs areas and usually found at depths between 50 to about 200 feet (15 – 60 m) where it feeds mainly on small fishes and crustaceans.

General Husbandry: Rarely available in the trade, and quite attractive having a mottled reddish body.

Best maintained in dimly lit aquaria with some rocky caves and peaceful tankmates.

As to diet, will eat most regular aquarium foods, e.g., finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc., and should be offered at least twice daily and dispensed upstream so water currents carry food to their location.

Sometimes difficult to get feeding, and if so, fortified live adult brine shrimp may be necessary to get them feeding.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Serranidae

Subfamily: Anthiinae

Genus: Plectranthias

FYI: A hawkfish-like species dwelling on substrates waiting for a meal to come close enough to be captured and eaten.

Experience Level: Beginner

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 78°F (22 – 26°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5