Diplioprion bifasciatum

(Cuvier, 1828)

Two-banded Soapfish, Barred Soapfish

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Maldives and India to Papua New Guinea, north to Southern Japan, and south to Lord Howe Island.

Size: 10 inches (25 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits areas near caves and crevices in rocky reefs and is usually found at depths between 15 – 150 feet (5 – 45 m) and feeds mainly on small fishes.

General Husbandry: Rarely ever seen in the trade, yet an attractive species with most specimens having a yellow body and fins, with a dark mid-body vertical band and a similar colored band through the eye. Can vary from almost all yellow to almost all black.

Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums having several hiding places, as it’s initially quite shy. As time passes, will be more social and spend most of its time in open areas. Not aggressive, except to tankmates that can be swallowed.

As to diet, 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 at least once per day.

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: Grammistinae

Genus: Diplioprion

FYI: Not safe with smaller fishes, small crabs, or small ornamental crustaceans.

As with all soapfish, if stressed, may release a toxic substance (grammistin) from the skin that could kill it and all tankmates.

Prevent any stressful conditions in the aquarium!

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive (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: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful to moderately aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 100+ gallons

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

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5