Also Known As: Redstripe Tilefish, Marcos' Tilefish

Compatibility and Behavior
The Skunk Tilefish (Hoplolatilus marcosi) is a slender, streamlined sand tilefish with a pale bluish-white to violet-gray body and a vivid red stripe running from behind the eye to the tip of its slightly forked tail, a stripe that can look nearly black under subdued lighting or at the depths where the species naturally occurs. Its pointed head, blue facial tones, yellow iris, and elongated fins give it a graceful look as it hovers and darts through open water. Like the other tilefish, it's peaceful but easily startled, spending much of the day picking passing zooplankton from the current before retreating into a sand-and-rubble burrow when threatened. It's reef safe with corals, though exceptionally small fish or crustaceans could be eaten. Calm tankmates like gobies, cardinalfish, firefish, peaceful wrasses, and smaller anthias are generally compatible, while aggressive or highly competitive fish may keep it hidden and away from food. It often occurs in pairs in the wild and can be kept singly or as a compatible pair introduced together, provided the tank offers enough space and food. And as with all tilefish, it's an exceptionally accomplished jumper, so a completely covered aquarium is essential.

Aquarium Requirements
A mature tank of at least 70 gallons suits one of the 2.5 to 4 inch specimens commonly offered, while 100 gallons or larger provides ideal swimming room. Provide an open sandy area at least 3 to 4 inches deep with small pieces of coral rubble worked in to reinforce the burrow, and anchor live rock securely to the tank base before adding sand, since digging beneath unstable structures can shift or collapse them. Combine shaded caves and overhangs with generous open water, moderate flow, efficient filtration, and subdued to moderate lighting. Introduce this nervous fish early in the stocking order, dim the lights during acclimation, and offer several small meals through the day. A mature refugium supplying copepods supports natural feeding behavior, and a rigid, tight-fitting lid must cover every opening.

Specifications
Approximate Size: 2.5–4"
Diet: Carnivore and planktivore; frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, amphipods, finely chopped krill, clam, and other marine meats, fed 2–4 small meals daily
Origin: Tropical Western Pacific
Care Level: Moderate to difficult
Reef Safe: Yes
Temperament: Peaceful and timid
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Special Considerations: An exceptionally accomplished jumper, so every opening must be covered with a rigid, tight-fitting lid. A timid fish that needs a deep sand bed for burrowing and calm tankmates so it feels secure enough to feed well.