Parapriacanthus ransonneti

(Steindachneri, 1870)

Pigmy Sweeper, Golden Sweeper

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea south to Transkei South Africa, east to Marshall Islands, and north to Southern Japan and south to Australia.

Size: 4 inches (10 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits coral overhangs and caves during daytime at depths between 10 – 100 feet (3 – 30 m) and feeds on zooplankton during evening hours.

General Husbandry: Not yet seen in the trade. Has a yellowish gold body and fins, with a small vertical black line at the base of the tail.

Would be best maintained in in small groups in low light fish-only or reef aquariums with many caves and overhangs and wide-open swimming areas. As to diet, initially feed fortified live brine shrimp and live ghost/glass shrimp. Once feeding normally, a wide variety of frozen and fresh meaty foodstuffs (finely chopped squid, scallops, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc.) can be fed several times daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Pempheridae

Genus: Parapriacanthus

FYI: Known to be quite susceptible to skin parasites.

Known to be a poor shipper.

Very possibly best left in the wild.

Experience Level: Professional

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Fish-only or reef aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful or non-aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 28°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5