Macolor macularis

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Facts
Latin name Macolor macularis - Fowler, 1931
Local name Midnight snapper
Family Lutjanidae - Macolor
Origin East Indian Ocean, Australia, Indonesia, Central/West Pacific
Max length 60 cm (23.6")
As aquarium fish
Minimum volume 2000 l (528 gal)
Hardiness Average
Suitable for aquarium Suitable with care
Reef safe Reef safe with caution
Aggressiveness Unknown
Feed
Recommended Fish
Larger crustaceans (Shrimp, crabs...)
Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...)
Zooplankton (Cyclops, pods...)
Beware of
Grows fast

This species grows very quickly if fed well.

Can be a threat to small fish

This spicies might be a threat to smaller fishes.

Threat towards crustaceans

This species poses a threat towards shrimps and crabs etc., which are relatively small.

Demand a very large aquarium when fully grown

This species needs a very large aquarium when fully grown.

Exactly how big the aquarium should be is hard to say, but the size of this species is such, that it cannot normally be kept in a home aquarium.

Keep in mind
Requires a varied diet

This species must be fed with an appropriately varied diet.

Heavy load

This species eats a great deal and demands an aquarium that can tolerate such a heavy load.

Live food

There is a greater chance of success with this species if one can supply a living feed to allow it to adapt to the tank.

Frequent feeding

This fish requires feeding several times a day, especially when newly added.

When the fish can find its natural food in the aquarium it requires less frequent feeding. 

Overhangs and caves

This species thrives best in an aquarium with overhangs and caves. 

Requires plenty of space for swimming.

This species revels in swimming and requires an aquarium with ample space.

Can coexist with its own species

Several specimen of this species can coexist in the same aquarium, provided they are introduced simultaneously.

Initially shy

This species can be very shy when first introduced into a new aquarium.

More aggressive fish can be introduced after this species has acclimatized.

Descriptions and further reading
Family description (Lutjanidae)

Snappers (Lutjanidae) are predatory fish, which normally live off fish and a wide range of invertebrates; typically crustaceans, but also snails, sea urchins, worms etc. They will mostly find their food on the bottom, and some species will blow in the sand to find food.

Unlike the other species, species in the Macolor, Pinjalo and Rhomboplites genera live of the larger kinds of zooplankton.

Snappers are generally fairly hardy, but are only suitable for very large aquaria. One should arrange the tank, with a large overhang or hole where they can hide.

FishBase
Aquarium trade No
Distribution Western Pacific: Ryukyu Islands to Australia and Melanesia. Possibly more widespread, but confused in the literature with Macolor niger.
French common names Vivaneau minuit
Danish common names Midnatssnapper
English common names Midnight seaperch
Midnight snapper
Black and white snapper
Black-and-white snapper
References and further reading

About references

Scott W. Michael. 2004. Angelfishes and Butterflyfishes (Reef Fishes Series Book 3) TFH Publications / Microcosm Ltd. - (English)
Bob Fenner. Snappers, Family Lutjanidae - Wet Web Media - (English)
WWM Crew. FAQs about Snappers, Family Lutjanidae - Wet Web Media - (English)