Range: Widespread in the Western Pacific.

Size: up to 4 inches (10 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabit very shallow lagoon areas to deeper drop-off areas, 3 to 50 feet (1 - 15 m)

General Husbandry: Prefer a temperature of 77 - 82°F (25 - 28°C) and natural diet consists mainly of algae yet accepts a wide variety of foods including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and flake food (especially Spirulina). Needs numerous feeding per day. 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. Requires hiding places. May nip corals and other sessile invertebrates. : Bob Fenner

Aquarium Suitability: *