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Dusky-Capped Tilefish (Hoplolatilus cuniculus)

Find Dusky-Capped Tilefish across reef-livestock retailers on ReefDock. Compare sources, check known pricing where available, and review care information before you buy.

Dusky-Capped Tilefish
Photo: (c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mark Rosenstein · cc-by-nc
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Where to buy Dusky-Capped Tilefish

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  • Saltwaterfish

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  • Amazon

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  • Petco

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About Dusky-Capped Tilefish

Hoplolatilus cuniculus is a small tilefish with a dusky or dark cap on the head and upper body, contrasting with a lighter colored lower body and belly. The fish has a slightly elongated body shape typical of tilefishes, with a blunt snout and small mouth adapted for feeding on small organisms in the sand and rubble.

Key facts

Min tank size
75 gallons
Water Parameters
Temperature: 72-78°F pH: 8.1-8.3 Salinity: 1.02-1.025
Appearance
Hoplolatilus cuniculus is a small tilefish with a dusky or dark cap on the head and upper body, contrasting with a lighter colored lower body and belly. The fish has a slightly elongated body shape typical of tilefishes, with a blunt snout and small mouth adapted for feeding on small organisms in the sand and rubble.
Care Requirements
• 75+ gallon tank minimum; larger preferred for burrowing behavior • Stable temp 72-78°F, pH 8.1-8.3, salinity 1.023-1.025, calcium/alk maintained • Fine sand substrate 3-4" deep for burrow construction; rubble/caves for shelter • Carnivorous; feed varied meaty foods (mysis, copepods, small fish); may be aggressive toward small inverts • Nocturnal; low-moderate lighting acceptable; prefers dimmer conditions
Difficulty Level
Moderate difficulty. Dusky-capped tilefishes require stable water conditions, appropriate feeding of small meaty foods, and careful acclimation. They are sensitive to aggression from other fish and benefit from a tank with abundant sand and rubble for natural burrowing behavior.
Reef safety
Reef Safe
Feeding Schedule
2-3 times daily
Diet
planktivore
Temperament
Peaceful
Diet Details
Feed small meaty foods including frozen mysis shrimp, copepods, small amphipods, and high-quality prepared diets designed for tilefish. Dusky-capped tilefishes are microcarnivores that naturally feed on zooplankton and small crustaceans sifted from the substrate.
Origin
Indo-Pacific region, including the Philippines, Indonesia, and surrounding areas. Found at moderate depths on coral reef slopes and drop-offs.
Common Health Issues
Starvation if inadequate small-particle foods provided, parasites, stress-related illness from aggressive tankmates, poor water quality

Research before you buy

ReefDock is the sister app to Reef Trak. Use Reef Trak to research and log fish, keep tank parameters organized, and maintain a complete livestock history. Log this fish on Reef Trak.

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