Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea and East Africa to Solomon and Mariana Islands, and Hong Kong
Size: 14 inches (35 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow coastal reefs and feeds mainly on smaller fish, along with crustaceans, crabs, worms, clams, urchins, and various other benthic invertebrates.
General Husbandry: Has an elongated body that is mostly yellowish and having several horizontal narrow tannish bands and a large black patch on the upper mid body. Its pectoral, dorsal, anal, and tail fins are yellow, with its head a light grey.
Not collected for the trade - shown here for identification only.
If available, would be best maintained in large fish-only aquariums with wide-open swimming areas with caves and overhangs to take shelter in when feeling a need, to continue to survive in captivity.
As to diet, probably no different than others in this genus, requiring a wide variety of frozen and fresh meaty foodstuffs (chopped squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc.), and fed at least once daily. Would eat ornamental crustaceans and smaller fish in the aquarium.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Lutjanidae
Genus: Lutjanus
FYI: A predator and will eat any moving invertebrates and fish small enough to fit into its mouth!
Groupers, angelfish, and triggerfish would make good tankmates.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Active/aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: No
Fish Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Active and slightly aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 150+ gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 84°F (22 – 29°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5