Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Florida, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico

Size: up to 2.5 inches (6.5 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabit coral and shell rubble areas at a depth of 15 to well below 100 feet (5 - 30 m)

General Husbandry: : Prefer a temperature of 75 - 82°F (24 - 28°C) and natural diet consists mainly of algae and detritus. Feed a varied diet, including Spirulina flake several times a day. Hardy, but can be 'quite' aggressive, especially in smaller aquariums, and best if the last fish introduced. May nip mantles of clams and large polyp corals. Possibly, a bare bottom tank containing much coral rubble and rocks forming caves and crevices might be the best environment for these fish. Reason being they also feed on detritus, and bare bottom tanks make it easier for them to access areas containing this medium. It's also quite easy to occasionally clean areas under loosely stacked rock and rubble in bare bottom tanks with the flow from a powerhead.

Aquarium Suitability: *