Unidentified Australian Bythitidae

[invincible569]

Is this specimen from the colder waters?

Unidentified Australian Bythitidae
http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?ddid=19085&siteid=20

 

[invincible569]

Also, did a little research and came up with this specific ID:

Dipulus Caecus - "Orange Eelpout"

Looks to be from shallow reefs, therefore it may not be from colder waters. I figured since it was nocturnal, it may be from deeper waters.

 

[DFS]

invincible569,

We really do not have a whole lot of information in regards to this strange fish that showed up on a shipment from Australia. I would imagine that it is a shallow water species based on the fact that it showed up in the aquarium trade.

Both Scott Michael and Julian Sprung have not been successful in positively identifying this fish based on their communication with colleagues in the aquarium and scientific community, so we have listed the fish accordingly. Dipulus Caecus listed on FishBase.org is definitely the closest match to this fish.

We have maintained a pair of these fish in the Aquaculture Coral and Marine Life Facility for over 10 months, and keep them in our main fish system at 77-78 degrees. The pair that we keep here have spawned successfully and produced 8 babies, as they are live bearing fish, which helps a great deal in distinguishing what family the fish resides in. When we first started to research this fish we had narrowed it down to two families, Bythitidae and the Pholidichthyidae. After the birth of the 1.25" babies we then narrowed it down to a Bythitidae.

These fish do prefer to hide and stay out of the light (hence their very small eyes) like most Bythitidae, but will venture out to eat. They have done very well for us here on a diet of enriched mysis and brine shrimp.

Happy Reefing!
Kevin Kohen
Director of LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith
LiveAquaria.com

 

[invincible569]

Have you kept this fish with any ornamental shrimp or small fish that he may get his mouth on?

It says that they could be blind?

 

[DFS]

invincible569,

We did not even attempt to maintain these fish with any crustaceans or small fish by looking at their mouth structure. We have housed them with smaller Cirrhilabrus spp. and larger Paracheilinus spp. with no problems.

I would not recommend maintaining this fish with small crustaceans or small fish as I am sure they would consume them quickly if they can fit into their mouth.

Have a good evening,
Kevin