Gumdrop Coral Croucher Goby (Caracanthus maculatus)

The Spotted Scorpionfish resembles a goby and belongs to the scorpionfish family. This fish is native to the reefs of Indonesia, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Coral Sea. It is often found in and around hard and soft corals. This fish is gray/white with many red spots on its body. It is completely covered in small hair-like appendages, giving it a fuzzy appearance.
The spines on its dorsal fins are venomous. If stung, the reaction can be similar to a bee sting, but slightly stronger.

It requires an aquarium of 38 liters or more, preferably with branching corals. It is rarely aggressive towards other fish, but will fight its own kind in a smaller aquarium. It is therefore best kept with other docile species.

Spotted scorpionfish are common in aquariums. Caution should be exercised if the aquarium contains Acropora sp. or similar SPS corals. They lay their eggs under the coral's branch, causing tissue recession there. However, under the right conditions, the coral will regenerate the lost tissue.

The spotted coral's diet consists of brine shrimp, frozen mysis, table shrimp, and frozen carnivore food. If the fish is kept in a reef tank with live branching corals, it should be fed once a day, targeting the fish. If it is kept in an aquarium without substrate, it will require several meals per day.

Level of care
Easy
Temperament
Peaceful
Color
Red, White
Food
Carnivorous
Reef friendly
Yes
Water conditions
sg 1.020-1.025, 22-25 °C, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size
5 cm
Venomous
Yes
Family
Caracanthidae
Minimum tank size
38 liters