Rock Beauty

Males are about 9.5 in. up to 14 in.; females are smaller. Other fish often ignore the rock beauty. Tank size is a minimum of 120 gal. Found in the tropical Western Atlantic, this fish is difficult to keep in captivity. Only very experienced aquarists should attempt it.

The Rock Beauty must have sponges in its diet, although it will also eat tunicates, jellyfish, corals, plankton and algae. Rock beauties are very territorial, rarely venturing more than a few feet from their protective shelter. In aquariums they will become aggressive toward their own species, so more than one should not inhabit the same aquarium. They cannot be bred in captivity.