Purple Tilefish EXPERT (Hoplolatilus Purpureus)
Also Known As: Purple Sand Tilefish, Purple Reef Tilefish
Compatibility and Behavior
The bright Purple Tilefish (Hoplolatilus purpureus) is a genuine standout among Tilefish. The body is an electric lilac-purple, deeper violet along the top and fading to a lighter belly, and the forked tail lobes are edged in crimson, all carried on the sleek, torpedo-shaped frame typical of tilefish. Its dorsal and anal fins run long and low, understated next to a true goby's, and the whole package looks its best out in open water, where this fish spends its day hovering and cruising above its burrow. Temperament is peaceful and it's fully reef safe with corals and most inverts, with one small asterisk: tiny ornamental shrimp like Sexy Shrimp can occasionally become targets. It can turn territorial toward its own kind, so it's best kept singly, and it does well with other calm, non-aggressive community fish, though housed with pushier tankmates it may hang back in its burrow and be reluctant to eat.
Aquarium Requirements
Two things make or break this fish, and the first is the lid. Purple Tilefish are exceptionally strong jumpers, and escape is one of the leading causes of loss in home aquariums, so a tightly fitted, gap-free top is absolutely critical, not optional. The second is the sand bed: it needs at least 3 inches of substrate, since it digs a burrow beneath the rockwork and retreats there whenever startled. Beyond those, give it a tank of at least 80 gallons with plenty of open swimming room for its active, fast-moving lifestyle, ample rockwork layered above the burrowing substrate for security, and subdued to moderate lighting that echoes its deeper reef origins. Feed small amounts of enriched meaty foods like mysis and finely chopped seafood several times a day, and expect to spot-feed early on, since a shy new arrival with a fast metabolism needs help getting its share.
Specifications
Approximate Size: 3–5"
Diet: Carnivore; finely chopped marine fish, crustacean flesh, mysis, and enriched frozen foods
Origin: Indo-West Pacific
Care Level: Expert
Reef Safe: Yes, with caution around small ornamental shrimp
Temperament: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 80 gallons with long footprint
Special Considerations: An exceptionally strong jumper that must have a gap-free, tight-fitting lid; requires a sand bed of at least 3 inches; may prey on small ornamental shrimp such as Sexy Shrimp
Pairs well with
Purple Tilefish EXPERT (Hoplolatilus Purpureus)
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Shipping Information
- Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday. Orders will be shipped overnight on the soonest possible shipping day, unless you request to hold the order for up to one business day.
- Your order will ship same-day if placed before 12:30 PM PST on a shipping day.
- Orders placed after 12:30 PM PST will ship on the next shipping day.
- Stay tuned to our Announcement Bar (black bar at the top of every page) for important shipping announcements...we may reach our max limit of orders we can ship on Mondays.
- If it is very hot, very cold, or if you live in a rural area, ship to a UPS Access Point to save your livestock from hours of exposure to the elements. Click here to see how.
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FAQ’s
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if UPS is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a UPS Access Point, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.
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Contact Us
Send us an email at sales@reefbeauties.com and we will get back to you shortly.
We do not offer phone calls. We handle our inquiries with timely emails to ensure a qualified and high-quality response, to have all conversations on record, and to avoid miscommunications that can occur over the phone.
Free shipping on orders over $199!
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if FedEx is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a FedEx Ship Center, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.