All fish / Malacanthidae

Yellow Tilefish

Hoplolatilus luteus

Also known as yellow tile fish, golden tilefish, yellow sand tilefish, luteus tilefish, キイロアマダイ, 黄色马头鱼

A slim, long-finned tilefish coloured an even bright yellow, found over rubble and sand slopes where it hovers above its burrow. It is kept for its striking colour and calm, gentle nature in peaceful reef aquariums.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a mated pair

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, enriched brine shrimp, chopped seafood and fine frozen foods, fed several times a day

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Indonesia (Flores, Sulawesi) and nearby reefs

Breeding

It forms pairs and lays scattered pelagic eggs in the wild. Captive breeding has not been reported in home aquariums.

Good to know

Very prone to jumping, so a tightly fitted lid is essential, and it is shy and stress-prone, so avoid boisterous tankmates. Provide a deep sand and rubble bed for burrowing.