Redback sand tilefish (Hoplolatilus marcosi)

Scientific name: Hoplolatilus marcosi Burgess, 1978

The Redback sand tilefish (Hoplolatilus marcosi) is a marine fish of the family Malacanthidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–28°C (72–82°F). Native range: Western Central Pacific, Indonesia, Palau, Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. Recently reported from Tonga.

Redback sand tilefish care at a glance

Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 14 - 15; Vertebrae: 24. Easily recognized by the red stripe, but this looks black in deep water. Preopercular serrae 27-44.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Hoplolatilus marcosi
Family: Malacanthidae (Tilefishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 12.0
Common length: 10.4
Depth range: 18–80 m (59–262 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 18 - 80 m, usually 30 - 80 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Western Central Pacific: Indonesia, Palau, Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. Recently reported from Tonga.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)