Range: Indo-Pacific Ocean: Red Sea to the Line Islands, the Marquesas, the Pitcairn Group, Japan, and Lord Howe and Rapa Islands

Size: Up to 8 in (20 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabit rocky reefs, in caves and on ledges from shallow reef crests to deep drop-offs

General Husbandry: Has a temperature range of 75 - 80°F (24 - 27°C) and has a natural diet of benthic invertebrate, usually hard-shelled invertebrate such as snails and clams. Requires a meaty diet, including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, black worms and other meaty type frozen foods with two or three feedings per day. Provide numerous hiding places and lots of swimming room. Sometimes bury themselves if frightened. Usually, they sleep under rock shelves, on or under a coral branch, in a crevice, or directly on the sand surface, however, providing a deep sandbed of about 3 inches (7.5 cm) of fine-grained sand would be a good idea. Juveniles providing a cleaning service. Since they mostly feed upon benthic invertebrates they pose a danger in reef tanks. Rarely seen in the trade.

Aquarium Suitability: * *