Australian Flathead Perch

Rainfordia opercularis - The Australian Flat head perch is a true odd ball fish. They have amazing bright coloration with orange and aqua colored stripes when they reach adulthood. This species can grow to a max size of 5-7". 

The Australian Flathead Perch is one of the rarest aquarium fish on earth, and not many people have seen this species in real life. This cryptic deepwater fish is difficult to collect and rarely seen in the wild. Reefbuilders reported that some aquarium shops were selling these beauties for over $8k USD in 2011. Today, you can buy them for a fraction of that price thanks to captive breeding efforts. The larvae of this species is incredibly difficult to raise, but the aquaculture team in Biota's North Carolina facility use their decades of experience to make it possible. 

As juveniles they should be kept with peaceful fish. As adults, they can live with other peaceful species that are too large for them to eat. They do not pick on live coral or sessile inverts, but adults can eat any fish, shrimp, etc. that will fit into their large, wide mouths. Ideal tank mates are large-bodied fish that are longer and taller than the Flathead Perch.

These will eat anything they can fit into their mouths, but they tend to be on the more passive side and prefer to dwell in shaded areas. They're very food motivated and with time learn to recognize their humans, excitedly leaving their cave during feeding time. These juveniles are feeding on TDO C1 pellets, Easy Reef's Masstick, and Hikari's mysis shrimp. Younger fish have more subdued coloration, but these fish will grow and color up quickly.  We recommend introducing new fish with an acclimation box.