Pentapodus aureofasciatus

[Monkeyfish]

Anyone have any info on Pentapodus aureofasciatus?


Sorry about the pic - he's very fast and almost never stops moving.

The one I have is doing great. Very active and eats everything (pellets, mysis, Rod's food), but I'm getting conflicting info as to whether or not it is a schooling/shoaling fish.

 

[Matt_Wandell]

That is not Pentapodus aureofasciatus. It looks to me like a Caesio sp., perhaps C. teres, aka "fusilier".

Caesio spp. are indeed schooling fish and will appreciate being in groups. Pentapodus spp. get along as juveniles but avoid each other as they get older. I would not try to keep two in a home tank.

 

[AuroraDrvr]

Yep, it's a fusilier.

Unfortunately they're all too commonly brought into the trade, often being sold under some "unknown" status/name. I've seen them sold as Yellowtail Damsels before.

 

[Monkeyfish]

Any idea how big they typically get in captivity?

A quick Google indicated that they grow to about a foot in the wild. The fish is going into a 6' 180g tank. If they really get that large I don't think I'll be getting any more!

 

[Monkeyfish]

Further research indicated that they can get as large as 16". I will definitley not be getting any more and may try to return this one. Too bad, it's a really cool fish.

 

[Bret61081]

Keep feeding it and it will get big QUICK! Very cool fish but pigs. The local wholesaler in Maimi used to get them all the time

 

[Matt_Wandell]

Further research indicated that they can get as large as 16". I will definitley not be getting any more and may try to return this one. Too bad, it's a really cool fish.

Yes, and they really do get that big and quickly. They are not suited for home tanks at all.

 

[Monkeyfish]

He's going back to the store today. I suppose it's my own fault. After all this time I should know better than to trust most LFS employees. in regards to species ID.