Range: Pacific Ocean: Southern Japan, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and Kure and Midway

Size: up to 6 inches (15 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabit coral and rock crevices at a depth of 50 to 200 feet (15 - 65 m)

General Husbandry: Prefer a temperature of 66 - 76°F (19 - 25°C) and natural diet consists mostly of diatoms and benthic invertebrates, yet accepts a wide variety of foods in the aquarium including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and flake food (especially Spirulina). Also a heavy consumer of detritus, as it contains decomposing organic and plant particles. Possibly, a bare bottom tank containing much coral rubble and rocks forming caves and crevices might be the best environment for this 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. Needs numerous feeding per day. Not safe in the reef aquarium as they nip corals and other sessile invertebrates, including Tridacna clams. Rarely seen in the aquarium trade, however, captive-bred specimens are slowly becoming available and easy to keep (C. Delbeek, per.com.).

Aquarium Suitability: * *