Description
Pygoplites diacanthus
Care: Expert
Diet: Omnivorous
Light: Medium
Place of origin: Western Indian Ocean
Temperature: Tropical: 23-27 deg C (73-81 deg F)
Water Parameters: SG: 1.020-1.025, pH: 8.1-8.4
Indo-West Pacific, ranging from Red Sea and east coast of Africa, through most Indian Ocean islands to Western Pacific from Japan to Australia and Pacific east to the Tuamotu Archipelago. Occurs in coral-rich lagoons on shallow reef flats and along walls near caves or ledges to depths of 80m where they feed primarily on certain sponges. Juveniles secretive in caves and usually seen solitary. Adults in pairs and occasionally in small groups. Readily identified by the patterns of many alternating orange, blue and white vertical stripes. Two distinct colour variations between Pacific and Indian Ocean. Most obvious in adults is the grey (Pacific) versus yellow (Indian) chest. Being more colourful in general makes the Indian Ocean form more popular amongst aquarists. Juveniles are similar to adults but feature a distinct ocellus at the rear of the base of the dorsal fin. Aberrations in the striped pattern are quite common and occasionally yellow looking individuals, lacking dark pigments, are sighted in both the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Length to 25cm.
12 cm.
