Hoplolatilus starcki

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Facts
Latin name Hoplolatilus starcki - Randall & Dooley, 1974
Local name Stark's tilefish
Family Malacanthidae - Hoplolatilus
Origin East Indian Ocean, Australia, Indonesia, East Pacific, Central/West Pacific
Max length 15 cm (5.9")
As aquarium fish
Minimum volume 400 l (106 gal)
Hardiness Delicate
Suitable for aquarium Experience, preparation and extra care required
Reef safe Always reef safe
Aggressiveness Docile
Feed
Recommended Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...)
Zooplankton (Cyclops, pods...)
Beware of
Jumps out of open aquaria

This species is known to jump out of open aquaria.

High water quality

This species demands a high water quality.

Amongst other things it means, that water must be properly oxygenated.

Subsceptible to ich

This species is easily susceptible to Marine Ich (Cryptocaryon irritants), when stressed by other fish, bad water quality, or when relocated.

Keep in mind
Groups

This species ought to be kept in a group of at least three.

Sensitive during transportation

This species is very sensitive during transportation and acclimatizing into the aquarium.

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.

Acclimitises best as a juvenile

This species will better acclimatize to the aquarium`s condition if introduced, when young.

Very small individuals can be very delicate.

Needs dimmed light at first

Out in wild this species is used to faint light, so to acclimitize it, it is advantageous to dim the light at first and gradually increase it to normal.

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. 

Substrate

These fish prefer a substrate which allows it to burrow.
A substrate consisting of sand, coral pieces, shells and small pieces of broken up shells is ideal for them to dig holes in.

One can also arrange rocks to enable the fish to create a hole underneath, making certain they are secure and cannot fall over.

There should be space to enable them to make a hole which is at least 1½ inch (3 cm) longer than their own body.
Other animals digging in the sand, can stress this species, if the aquarium is not spacious enough. Be therefore aware of, for example of Wrasses which burrow at night.

Requires plenty of space for swimming.

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

Docile

This species is very shy and docile, so one should be careful when keeping it with more aggressive fish.

Descriptions and further reading
Family description (Malacanthidae)

Tilefish (Malacanthidae) are delicate and can be challenging to keep, but it is possible if one ensures they have the correct surroundings.

These fish do not handle stress very well, therefore it is of importance to prepare the aquarium so the environment is optimal before buying the fish. Good hiding places which resemble their natural holes in sand/coral gravel, combined with stone holes are optimum. Plenty of swimming space is also vital!

Tilefish should not be kept together with semi aggressive and aggressive species, as they are very shy. Fish which can kept with Tilefishes are for example: Anthias, Jawfish, Roundheads, Dartfish, Cardinalfish, Dragonets and small peaceful Wrasses.

As these fish will swim around wildly if stressed, it is a good idea to avoid keeping them together with anemones, elegance corals etc.

Slightly subdued lighting is also preferable. Moonlight is also a good idea, as these fish will sometimes jump up out of the water which can cause injury.

Tilefish will sometime require live food in the beginning, but will often eat frozen food after a while. Some individuals also eat fish flakes, but do be aware they will primarily eat from the water column, and not what lies on the bottom of the tank. They do not thrive well if there is a lot of competion for food.

Normally these fish will be fine in coral aquaria, but will sometimes go after small shrimps, and on rare occasions, LPS.

Generally, there is a better chance of success with these fish, if multiple ones are kept. It is a good idea to have other peaceful fish which spend a lot of time at the water column.
They are rarely aggressive towards fellow species, but will sometimes chase very shy Wrasses for example.

When purchasing this fish, ensure that it is has been caught correctly, so the swim bladder is not damaged. The fish must be able to hold still in the water without having to make an effort to swim downwards.

FishBase
Aquarium trade Yes
Distribution Indo Pacific: Bali, Indonesia, the Philippines to Timor, north to the Mariana Islands, south to Rowley Shoals and New Caledonia; throughout Micronesia. Range extends to Pitcairn (Ref. 9710).
English common names Starck's tilefish
Bluehead tilefish
Purple-headed sand tilefish
References and further reading

About references

Henry C. Schultz. 2006. Redoing the Seafloor with Tile: The Subfamily Malacanthinae, Part IPart II - Reefkeeping Magazine - (English)
Scott W. Michael. 2001. Basslets, Dottybacks & Hawkfishes: v. 2 (Reef Fishes) - TFH Publications / Microcosm Ltd. - (English)
Bob Fenner. Gorgeous, Intelligent, But Not Easy to Keep... The Sand Tilefishes, Family Malacanthidae - Wet Web Media - (English)