Japanese Pinecone Fish (Monocentris japonica)

Zionas

Member
I found an online seller who lives near my city in China, he lives near the coast and scuba dives to collect fish and corals and inverts to sell. Sometimes (quite rarely) he collects the Japanese Pinecone Fish and sells it for a pretty decent price. I wonder if anyone has had experience with this fish or another kind of Pinecone Fish (the Australian species, maybe?). Here it's actually a food fish once it reaches a decent size lol but the guy told me he usually gets ones that are about 8cm or slightly over 3".

He says these fish are easy to keep, but everywhere else I've read says I should probably not attempt one as they only take live foods and they're very prone to disease and infections.

So, I'd like to know:

1. They get to 8". Are they an active fish or a slow and sedentary fish like the other 8" fish I'll be getting (Marine Betta)?

2. Do they have specialized and highly demanding requirements for their environment?

3. Is it easy for them to take captive fare? (Frozen, Pellets, Flakes)


4. Will they be bullied by faster swimming fish or a species like the Flame Hawk?



Thanks.
 
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