Dusky Tilefish
Hoplolatilus cuniculus
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 4.25 - 6.25" - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $318.99.$167.99Current price is: $167.99. | Email me | |
| Out of Stock | 2.25 - 4.25" - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $245.99.$128.99Current price is: $128.99. | Email me |
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Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Planktivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 70 gallons |
| Max Size | 6 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Dusky Tilefish (Hoplolatilus cuniculus) is a sand-associated tilefish that stays close to the bottom, hovering above the substrate and retreating into a burrow when it wants to feel secure. In a reef tank, it adds steady, low-level movement and a “burrow-and-hover” routine that’s easy to watch throughout the day.
What You’ll Observe:
- Picks a home base and regularly returns to the same burrow entrance between swims
- Hovers just off the sand, then makes short, quick dashes to investigate activity nearby
- Tracks small foods in the water column and learns your feeding schedule over time
- Peeks out from its burrow with only the head visible, then eases back out to hover again
For best results, give your tilefish a sandbed with small rubble pieces it can use to build a stable burrow, and keep flow patterns that don’t constantly blow its doorway shut. Feed small meaty foods (like mysis and other fine frozen blends) and incorporate appropriately sized pellets once it recognizes them as food. A calm aquascape and a consistent day/night lighting schedule help it settle into a predictable routine.
How do I tilefish-proof small gaps around light mounts, overflow covers, and feeding doors?
Many keepers block tiny “hardware gaps” with mesh, snug covers, or simple plugs so the fish can’t wedge itself into narrow spaces during quick jumps.
Is it normal for a tilefish to do sudden fast swimming right after lights-out?
A short burst of activity can happen during the day-to-night transition; gradual ramp-down lighting and a consistent room environment often makes that transition calmer.
Will it bury itself or move rubble, and how do I prevent sand slides near the burrow?
It commonly shifts sand and small shells/rubble to reinforce a doorway; placing heavier rocks on the tank bottom (not on loose sand) keeps digging from undermining the structure.
Do Dusky Tilefish usually learn to eat pellets?
Many do once they associate the water column with feeding time; mixing pellets in with frozen foods can help it recognize them as food.
Can I treat or dip tilefish the same way I would other reef fish in quarantine?
Hobbyists often report better outcomes with gentle, low-stress acclimation and observation rather than aggressive dipping protocols, especially early on.
Shipped with pure oxygen and temperature control so it arrives stress-free and ready to eat.
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