Flashing Tilefish - Hoplolatilus chlupatyi

Flashing Tilefish (Hoplolatilus chlupatyi)

The Flashing Tilefish is a highly distinctive marine fish known for its elongated body, graceful swimming style and remarkable ability to display rapid changes in colouration. Depending on mood, lighting and social interaction, individuals may show shifting tones of blue, violet, pink, yellow or green, making this one of the most visually unusual tilefish available. Peaceful and reef safe, it is best suited to a mature, stable aquarium with calm tankmates, secure shelter and a tightly fitted lid.

Common Name:
Flashing Tilefish

Scientific Name (Latin):
Hoplolatilus chlupatyi

Maximum Size:
Approximately 15 cm

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Flashing Tilefish occurs in tropical Indo-Pacific reef environments and is associated with deeper reef slopes, sandy areas and rubble zones close to coral and rocky reef structure.

It typically remains close to open substrate and suitable shelter, retreating quickly when startled or threatened.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: SG 1.024–1.026
Nitrate: Low and stable
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm

Temperament:
Peaceful

The Flashing Tilefish is generally peaceful towards other marine fish and is best maintained with calm, non-aggressive tankmates.

Highly territorial or boisterous species can cause stress and may prevent it from feeding comfortably.

Diet:
Carnivore / Planktivore

The Flashing Tilefish naturally feeds on small planktonic organisms within the water column.

In the aquarium, offer a varied diet including frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped krill and quality small marine pellets.

Several smaller meals throughout the day are preferable due to its active swimming behaviour and relatively fast metabolism.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 250 litres

A mature aquarium with generous horizontal swimming room, secure rockwork and suitable sheltered areas is recommended.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Flashing Tilefish is an active and graceful daytime swimmer that commonly occupies the middle areas of the aquarium.

One of its most distinctive characteristics is its ability to alter its apparent colouration rapidly. These changes may occur during social interactions, stress, excitement or changes in surroundings.

Newly introduced specimens can be nervous and may spend significant periods close to shelter before becoming confident.

Provide caves, secure rockwork and open swimming areas.

A tightly fitted aquarium lid is essential, as tilefish are powerful jumpers and can escape through surprisingly small openings.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe

The Flashing Tilefish is generally considered reef safe and does not normally damage healthy corals, clams or established ornamental invertebrates.

Its feeding behaviour is focused primarily on small planktonic foods rather than coral tissue or larger reef inhabitants.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Provide a mature and biologically stable marine aquarium with excellent water quality and strong overall oxygenation.

A secure lid covering all openings is essential because this species is highly prone to jumping when startled.

Avoid sudden disturbances during the initial acclimation period and provide several secure retreat areas.

Choose peaceful tankmates that will not intimidate or outcompete the tilefish during feeding.

Several small meals throughout the day can help maintain healthy body condition.

Careful acclimation is particularly important, as tilefish can be sensitive to transport and environmental stress.

Natural colouration can vary considerably depending on mood, lighting and behaviour, so dramatic changes in appearance can be normal for this species.

Suitable for:
Intermediate to Experienced

Availability:
Availability can vary depending on season, collection area and supplier.

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.