Pilotfish (Gnathanodon Speciosus)

Also Known As: Golden Trevally, Golden Kingfish

Compatibility and Behavior The Pilotfish, also known as the Golden Trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus), a bold, schooling jack species. If you want something high-energy, schooling, and colorful, this is an excellent option. Juveniles display the look most aquarists are after: a bright yellow body crossed by thick black vertical bands, finished off with a powerful, torpedo-shaped profile. A deeply forked tail and streamlined body give it a mini tuna look, and the protrusible, tube-like mouth is genuinely distinctive when feeding. Behavior-wise, Golden Trevallies are generally peaceful toward non-aggressive tankmates but can get quite assertive at meal times and may outcompete slower or shy species. They're schooling fish by nature and tend to be more confident and active when kept in small groups. As active hunters and scavengers, they're best suited to fish-only or fish-dominated systems with robust tankmates rather than delicate nano species or ornamental crustaceans. They aren't grazers and are typically safe with corals, but their large adult size and constant motion make them much better fits for big display aquariums than tight reef rockwork.

Aquarium Requirements Pilotfish are open-water, high-energy swimmers that need long, unobstructed swimming lanes and strong, well-oxygenated flow. Even though current stock tops out around 5", they have the potential to grow fairly large, so they should be housed in big, elongated tanks with excellent mechanical and biological filtration to keep up with their heavy feeding and constant activity. Aquascape with rockwork and décor along the back and ends of the tank, leaving the center and front open for schooling and cruising. A tight-fitting lid or canopy is essential. These are fast, powerful fish that will jump when startled or chasing food, and an open-top tank is not a safe option. Offer frequent feedings of frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine, finely chopped seafood, and quality marine pellets to support their high metabolism and keep aggression at feeding time in check.

Specifications
Approximate Size: Smd: 1.5-2.5", Md: 2.5-3.5", Lg: 3.5-4.5"
Diet: Carnivore (frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine, finely chopped seafood, quality marine pellets)
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Care Level: Expert (requires strong filtration, frequent feeding, and ample swimming space)
Reef Safe: Generally safe with corals; best housed in large fish-focused or mixed systems given size and activity level
Temperament: Generally peaceful schooling fish; can be vigorous and competitive at feeding time
Minimum Tank Size: At least 180 gallons for juveniles and small groups, with strong flow and open swimming room
Special Considerations: Requires long tank and open swimming lanes; tight-fitting lid or canopy essential due to jumping risk; schooling species that does best in small groups