Range: Indo-Pacific Ocean: Red Sea to Hawaiian and Tuamotu Islands, New Caledonia

Size: Up to 20 in (50 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabit coral rich areas in lagoons and seaward reefs

General Husbandry: Has a temperature range of 72 - 83°F (22 - 28°C) and a natural diet of benthic invertebrate and small fishes. Requires a meaty diet, including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, black worms, strips of squid, or shrimp or fish flesh, and other meaty type frozen foods, with two or three feedings per day. There's only one described species in this genus. The mouth of this species can extend outward, about half the length of its body. When not in use to capture prey, it conveniently folds under the head. Subadults and females are usually brown while some other females are yellow. Males are usually dark brown with green edges on its scales, possible a yellow bar on its side, and/or a gray head with a black stripe behind the eye. Juveniles spend most of their time among coral branches. Sometimes adults will curl up with their tail towards their head and accompany floating debris to get to adjacent islands. It can change its color to match that of the debris. May need a live diet of grass/ghost/glass shrimp to get it feeding when first added to the system. Be aware, it will eat ornamental shrimp and small fishes. Rarely seen in the trade. Only one per tank, and colors seem to fade once in captivity. Probably better left in the wild.

Aquarium Suitability: * * & * * * *