Overview
- Native to the Indo-Pacific region, typically inhabiting coral reefs, lagoons, and sheltered rocky areas.
- Easily identified by its elongated, slender body featuring bold alternating black and white vertical bands.
- A gentle and graceful swimmer, known for its delicate movements and captivating appearance.
- Typically forms monogamous pairs or small groups, showcasing intriguing social behaviors.
- Thrives in established, peaceful aquariums with minimal competition, plenty of hiding spaces, and consistent water conditions.
Feeding
- Carnivorous, primarily consuming small crustaceans, copepods, amphipods, and other tiny marine organisms in the wild.
- Diet in captivity should include live foods like enriched brine shrimp, copepods, and small mysis shrimp.
- Initially challenging to feed; requires a consistent supply of live food to encourage natural feeding habits.
- Multiple daily feedings are necessary to ensure proper nutrition due to their specialized feeding style.
- Providing a varied diet supports health, vitality, and vibrant coloration.
Habitat
- Typically found in coral-rich areas, sheltered reefs, and lagoon environments with gentle water flow.
- Frequently observed gliding slowly around coral formations or hiding within rock crevices.
- Aquarium setups should replicate natural habitats with extensive live rock structures, ample hiding spots, and minimal water turbulence.
- Stable water parameters, gentle currents, and pristine water quality are crucial for their survival.
- Providing shaded areas and secluded spots encourages natural behaviors and reduces stress.
Fish Care
- Optimal water temperature: 72-78°F (22-26°C) to maintain ideal metabolic and immune function.
- Preferred pH range: 8.1-8.4, with stable salinity maintained at 1.020-1.025.
- Regular water changes, meticulous maintenance, and high-quality filtration systems are necessary to maintain excellent water conditions.
- Generally reef-safe, posing no threat to corals or other invertebrates.
- Ensuring minimal competition for food and adequate hiding spaces promotes long-term health and wellbeing.
Compatibility
- Peaceful species ideally kept with similarly gentle, non-aggressive tankmates.
- Compatible with small, peaceful marine species like gobies, cardinalfish, dragonets, and other non-aggressive reef dwellers.
- Avoid housing with aggressive or highly active fish that may outcompete or intimidate them.
- Best maintained in pairs or small groups to encourage natural social interactions.
- Providing ample hiding spots and a peaceful environment ensures optimal comfort and harmony.
Aquarium Behavior
- Displays slow, deliberate movements as it gracefully navigates through coral and rock structures.
- Frequently observed hovering and scanning the environment for small prey items.
- Typically shy initially but gradually becomes more visible and interactive with stable aquarium conditions.
- Providing calm, structured environments with minimal disturbances encourages natural behaviors and reduces stress.
- Over time, may become accustomed to caretakers, actively participating during feeding sessions.