[Myka]

Originally Posted by mr.wilson

I agree that they need to be kept in a group of 3 or 5. They are a schooling fish that physiologically require to feed and swim in a group. If you buy just one, it will hide a lot and it will be a reluctant feeder. Of course there are exceptions, but in general they get skinny and die in solitary condition.

The skunk tilefish (H marcosi) and dusky tile (H cuniculus) are ugly ones that often get shipped as substitutes, but the purple tilefish (H. purpureus) is more colourful than the flasher, but the flasher is cool to watch. Bluehead tile (H Sytarki) is pretty colorful too. They will cross-school so you could mix and match.

They need caves to hide in, where they stay as a tight group. They are jumpers, so you should cover the tank for the first week. I start feeding with live food (baby guppies and baby brine), then transition them over to frozen meaty foods (frozen brine, plankton, krill).

Thanks for your input! That's more info that the ole 'net came up with. I think I will continue my search for the perfect center piece fish.