Page 284 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

282 MARINE FISH DIRECTORY

Ptereleotris zebra Opistognathus aurifrons Nemateleotris decora
Zebra Goby Yellow-Headed Jawfish Purple Fire Goby

ORIGINS From the Red Sea across the Pacific, to the ORIGINS The Caribbean, from Florida and the Bahamas ORIGINS The western Pacific, north to the Ryukyu
Ryukyu Islands; south to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. down to the coast of Venezuela. Islands and south to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
SIZE 4 in (10 cm). SIZE 4 in (10 cm). SIZE 3 in (7.5 cm).
DIET Small invertebrates favored. DIET Small fresh and thawed meat-based foods. DIET Small crustaceans.
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
TEMPERAMENT Usually placid; adults more territorial. TEMPERAMENT Shy and nonaggressive. TEMPERAMENT Reasonably social.
A small group of Zebra Gobies can be kept in a Large, dark These beautiful fish are The dorsal fin of these small fish has two parts,
reef aquarium, but their food needs to be carried eyes ideally suited to a reef and they may raise the taller front portion, almost
on the current rather than lying on the bottom. aquarium, but they will as if in a threatening gesture. They are suitable for
These fish seek small caves where they can retreat, not be very conspicuous a reef aquarium, where they will use holes in the
often sharing holes. A pair will spawn in aquarium since they are burrowers rockwork as retreats. Do not house these fish with
surroundings, with the by nature. They hide invertebrate predators, such as hermit crabs and
female guarding the much of their body bristleworms, which will prey on them at night.
eggs until they hatch. in the substrate, Feed them on brine shrimp at first, but later they
adopting a vertical pose, can be weaned onto frozen planktonic foods.
with the yellow head
coloration blending in with Front section of Rear portion
dorsal fin held flat
of dorsal fin
the sandy background and
disguising their presence.
They seldom move
far from their
burrows, so it is
important to place
food nearby. This is a
mouth-brooding species.
Synanceia horrida
THE PATIENT PREDATOR
Horrid Stonefish The Horrid Stonefish’s appeal lies in its amazing
camouflage. As an aquarium occupant, stonefish The ultimate ambush experts in the marine
ORIGINS Ranges from the Red Sea throughout the normally have to be kept on their own because world are stonefish, such as this Popeyed Sea
Indo-Pacific region, extending east to Oceania. of their highly predatory natures, although feeding Goblin (Inimicus didactylus). They spend their
SIZE 12 in (30 cm). them is quite straightforward. Great care needs time lying camouflaged on the seabed, often
DIET Animal-based foods. to be taken when catching one of these fish or partially buried or concealed among seaweed.
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline servicing its tank to avoid being injured by the The eyes, which are positioned on the top of
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. stonefish’s venomous spines. The spines contain the head to give all-around visibility, alert the
TEMPERAMENT Predatory. a toxin that can cause severe tissue damage. stonefish to the approach of potential prey,
which is snapped up by the cavernous mouth.
A stonefish can swim but typically prefers to
remain hidden from view. Barefoot swimmers
risk being impaled on the fish’s venomous
spines when wading in shallow water.

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