Red Stripe Tilefish - Hoplolatilus marcosi

Red Stripe Tilefish (Hoplolatilus marcosi)

The Red Stripe Tilefish is an elegant and eye-catching marine fish recognised for its elongated body, graceful swimming style and distinctive red to reddish-orange stripe running along the body. Peaceful and reef safe, it can make an excellent addition to a mature community aquarium, but like other tilefish it can be nervous when first introduced and requires a secure, covered aquarium. Once established, it is an active midwater swimmer that benefits from calm tankmates, stable water quality and regular feeding with small marine foods.

Common Name:
Red Stripe Tilefish, Marcos' Tilefish

Scientific Name (Latin):
Hoplolatilus marcosi

Maximum Size:
Approximately 13 cm

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Red Stripe 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 suitable shelter and open sand, where it can retreat quickly when 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 Red Stripe Tilefish is generally peaceful towards other marine fish and is best kept with calm, non-aggressive tankmates.

Boisterous or highly territorial species can cause prolonged stress and may prevent it from feeding properly.

Diet:
Carnivore / Planktivore

The Red Stripe 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 plenty of horizontal swimming room, secure rockwork and suitable sheltered areas is recommended.

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

It can be extremely nervous when first introduced and may spend considerable time close to shelter until it becomes comfortable.

Provide secure rockwork, caves and suitable retreat areas alongside open swimming space.

A tightly fitted aquarium lid is essential, as tilefish are exceptionally capable jumpers and may escape through surprisingly small openings.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe

The Red Stripe 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, 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.

Avoid sudden disturbances around the aquarium during the initial acclimation period and provide plenty of secure retreat areas.

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

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.

Once settled, the Red Stripe Tilefish can become considerably more confident and spend much of the day swimming openly within the aquarium.

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.