{"product_id":"spotted-crouche","title":"Spotted Coral Croucher | Caracanthus maculatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Spotted Coral Croucher is a tiny, endearing reef fish that spends its life nestled among the branches of stony corals. Despite its goby-like looks it is actually a member of the scorpionfish group, complete with small venomous spines. Reaching only around 5 cm, it is a charming, low-impact choice for a mature reef with branching corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCaracanthus maculatus is found across the Indo-Pacific, living wedged among the branches of Acropora and other stony corals on shallow reefs. It rarely ventures far from the shelter of coral, relying on it for protection and ambush feeding. In the aquarium it does best in a mature reef with healthy branching corals to hide within, stable water and a good population of small live foods. A settled tank with plenty of microfauna suits it well.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe body is small, deep and slightly warty, coloured pinkish to reddish-brown and covered in fine darker spots. It has a rounded profile and large eyes, and often perches motionless among coral branches. Its dorsal spines carry a mild venom, so it should be handled with care. Healthy specimens are plump, alert and settle quickly into coral cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a peaceful, retiring fish that poses no threat to other tank inhabitants, though it may squabble with its own kind in a small tank. It is easily out-competed at feeding time, so it should be kept with equally gentle tank mates such as small gobies, dartfish and other docile reef fish. It is best in a calm system where it will not be bullied or outpaced for food. A single specimen, or a compatible pair in a larger tank, works well.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore, it feeds on small crustaceans and should be offered enriched live and frozen foods such as adult brine shrimp, mysis and finely chopped meaty items. Because it is shy and slow, food is best delivered close to its coral perch so it does not miss out. Feed small amounts once or twice daily. Very small ornamental shrimp may be viewed as prey.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of 40 L, with 75 L or more recommended, ideally a mature reef with branching stony corals. Maintain 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Gentle to moderate flow and stable water quality suit it well. The presence of healthy branching corals for shelter greatly improves its comfort and confidence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLittle is documented about breeding this species in aquaria, and it is not routinely bred at home. Like other coral crouchers it lays eggs among coral branches, but rearing the larvae is beyond typical home setups. For keepers the goal is a secure, coral-rich home and a reliable supply of small meaty foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCaracanthus maculatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpotted Coral Croucher\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific reefs, among branching stony corals\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (venomous spines; territorial to its own kind)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L or larger (mature reef)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; small enriched live and frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature, peaceful reef aquariums with branching corals\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe (may eat very small ornamental shrimp)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include small peaceful gobies, dartfish, firefish, small clownfish and other gentle reef fish that will not out-compete it for food.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with aggressive or boisterous fish, larger predators that may eat it, and other coral crouchers in a small aquarium where they may fight.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234141946147,"sku":"BA8447-S","price":42.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234141978915,"sku":"BA8447","price":52.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562727260451,"sku":"BA8447-S-IMP","price":42.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562727293219,"sku":"BA8447-M-IMP","price":52.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/spotted-crouche-43090651087139.webp?v=1790306139","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/spotted-crouche","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}