Description
Aquarium Requirements:
- Tank Size: 75 gallons (285 L) minimum for a single specimen; 125+ gallons (475+ L) for harems (1 male + 3–7 females)
- Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)
- pH: 8.1–8.4
- Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: <20 ppm
- Water Flow: Gentle, random (5–10× tank volume per hour) to simulate deep reef currents
- Lighting: Low to moderate (PAR 80–150); avoids bright light stress
Size & Lifespan:
- Adult Size: 3–3.5 inches (7–9 cm)
- Lifespan: 5–8 years with consistent small meals and stable deep-water conditions
Behavior & Tank Mates:
- Diurnal mid-water schooler; forms natural harems—one dominant male with multiple females
- Extremely peaceful; males may flare or posture but rarely harm others
- Compatible with:
- Other peaceful anthias, fairy wrasses, chromis, gobies, dartfish
- Soft corals, LPS, and SPS in shaded reef zones
- Avoid: aggressive wrasses, triggers, or high-flow areas
- 100% reef-safe – poses no threat to corals or inverts
- Tight lid required; excellent jumper when startled
Diet & Feeding:
- Obligate planktivore – requires frequent, tiny meals to replicate constant zooplankton availability
- Feed 4–6 times daily in small pinches:
- Frozen cyclops, calanus, or enriched baby brine shrimp (core diet)
- Live copepods or newly hatched brine shrimp for best health
- High-quality micro-pellets or powdered foods once acclimated (e.g., TDO Chroma Boost, Reef Nutrition Phyto-Feast)
- Essential: Auto-feeder or multiple daily broadcasts; refugium with pod production highly beneficial
Additional Care Notes:
- Moderately difficult – best for intermediate+ aquarists with established systems
- Mandatory 4–6 week quarantine; prone to ich, velvet, and shipping stress
- Drip acclimate slowly (1–2 hours); gradually introduce to lower light to prevent shock
- Colors intensify with frequent feeding and dim, stable conditions – pale fish indicate hunger or stress
- Provide rock ledges and overhangs for resting; prefers shaded mid-water zones
- UV sterilizer and strong biological filtration recommended
- Wild-caught only – not captive-bred
- A delicate, flowing centerpiece for deep-reef or twilight-themed aquariums
