Spot-fin Sand Diver (Trichonotus setiger) Care Guide
Trichonotus setiger is a zooplankton-feeding sand-diver of the Western Pacific that buries in clean sandy slopes when disturbed.
Overview
Trichonotus setiger is the type species of the sand-diver family Trichonotidae. It is a slender fish in which males are distinguished by long dorsal fin rays and larger body size. The species hovers over clean sandy substrates and darts into the sand when disturbed.
Taxonomy
- Family: Trichonotidae
- Genus: Trichonotus
- Scientific name: Trichonotus setiger
Habitat
According to Wikipedia, the species occurs from the Persian Gulf to Queensland and Melanesia in the Western Pacific. It inhabits steep sand slopes and clean sandy substrates, typically with some silt, at depths reported by FishBase as commonly 5 to 10 m and ranging from 10 to 80 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Substrate: deep, fine sand bed required for burrowing
- Adult size: 12-15 cm (FishBase reports up to 22 cm in the wild)
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
Trichonotus setiger is a carnivore that feeds on zooplankton, leaving the substrate to grab prey drifting overhead. In captivity it needs frequent small meaty feedings to match its continuous, current-fed feeding behavior.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful, bottom-associated species found in large aggregations on sandy slopes. It suits peaceful tankmates such as gobies and cardinalfish, and should not be kept with aggressive species.
Breeding
Some species in the genus Trichonotus are protogynous hermaphrodites, changing sex from female to male. Captive breeding is regarded as expert-level.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2015).