Bluehead Tilefish

Hoplolatilus starcki is a species of tilefish native to the central Indo-Pacific.

Description

This species can reach a length of 15.5 centimetres. A tan to greenish tilefish becoming yellow towards the rear, with broad yellow caudal-fin lobes, and a bright blue head and pectoral-fin base. Juveniles are sky blue.

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.

Habitat

It is found on the outer slopes of reefs at depths of from 20 to 105 metres though it is rarer deeper than 50 metres. Displays obligate monogamy where a one-to-one pair is established irrespective of resource abundance. Inhabits patches of talus or rubble of steep outer reef slopes. Usually seen in pairs that quickly dive headfirst into their burrow when disturbed. Juveniles occasionally school with similarly colored juveniles of Pseudanthias pascalus. It feeds on copepods, pelagic tunicates, fish eggs, siphonophores, larval shrimps.

It can also be found in the aquarium trade.