TankBud

Australian flathead perch

Rainfordia opercularis

Also known as Flathead Perch, Rainford's Perch

SaltwaterFish

Australian flathead perch (Rainfordia opercularis)
Jokuyken15 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
79 gal
300 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Very rare
Reef safe
Reef safe with caution
Family
Serranidae
Origin
Australian reefs

Overview

The Australian flathead perch is a secretive cave dweller that spends most of the day out of sight. It is a step up from the easiest reef fish.

Did you know

The Australian flathead perch was once a legendary rarity that sold for thousands of dollars. Captive breeding at Biota turned it into a fish that a patient hobbyist can actually plan a tank around. Nearly all fish sold today are captive bred.

Caring for the Australian flathead perch

Give the Australian flathead perch a tank of at least 79 gal (300 L), built around mature rockwork with real tunnels and overhangs. Add shaded areas where it can patrol out of the light. It slips into the open at dusk and at feeding time.

Keep the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Offer meaty foods such as mysis, chopped shrimp and small frozen fish.

It will hunt any shrimp or fish small enough to swallow, which makes it reef safe only with caution. It is otherwise mostly peaceful and calm toward tank mates it cannot eat. Avoid large or boisterous fish, which will keep it hidden for good. Breeding it is hard.

Good to know

Rainfordia opercularis, a member of the family Serranidae, was described by McCulloch in 1923. It is closely allied to the reef basslets of the genus Liopropoma and shares their crevice-bound habits.

In the wild

The Australian flathead perch is endemic to Australian reefs. It lives deep inside caves and crevices and rarely crosses open water. Its flattened head and long, low body let it slide through narrow gaps under ledges.

Common questions

What size tank does an Australian flathead perch need?

An Australian flathead perch needs at least 79 gal (300 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an Australian flathead perch need?

An Australian flathead perch is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does an Australian flathead perch eat?

An Australian flathead perch eats meaty foods such as mysis, chopped shrimp and small frozen fish. It will also hunt any shrimp or fish small enough to swallow.

How big does an Australian flathead perch get?

An adult Australian flathead perch reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

Related species