🚚 Dry goods ship Australia-wide 🐠 Livestock — buy online, collect in store 🧪 In-store water analysis
Fish

Spotted Coral Croucher

Caracanthus maculatus
$65Out of stock
Pickup in store onlySold
Buy online and collect at 280 North Road, Eastwood NSW 2122.
Open Mon–Sat 10am–6pm · Sun 1pm–6pm. Usually ready the same day.
Livestock is collection only — we don't ship live coral or fish. Anything else in the same order is ready to grab when you collect.
Currently out of stock — ask us in store about availability.
Out of stock — join the waiting list

Tell us the size and sex you're after and we'll source this fish from our suppliers, then email you the moment it's in.

Join the waiting list →
  • Kept in our system until you collect

About this fishWhat do these mean?

FamilyOther
Max size5 cm
Minimum tank100 L · 26 gal
Care levelIntermediate
Reef compatibilityReef safe
DietCarnivore
TemperamentPeaceful
OriginIndo-Pacific

See the full care profile →

Overview

The Spotted Coral Croucher is a tiny, rounded fish covered in fine mottled spotting, adapted to living nestled among the branches of stony corals such as Pocillopora or Seriatopora, using them as both camouflage and shelter. Its small size and coral-dwelling habits make it an interesting addition to a nano or small reef tank with suitable branching coral hosts.

It's a peaceful, fully reef-safe species that rarely strays far from its chosen coral colony, spending most of its time nestled among the branches picking off small passing food items.

Given a tank with suitable branching coral and calm tankmates, it's an easy, unobtrusive fish that adds subtle interest without any aggression risk.

Compatibility

Spotted Coral Crouchers are entirely peaceful and reef safe, posing no threat to corals or invertebrates. They can be shy around larger or more boisterous tankmates, so calm, non-aggressive fish give the best results.

They are generally unbothered by and unbothersome to other peaceful community fish, though their small size means they should not be kept with aggressive or predatory tankmates.

Health & quarantine

This species is generally hardy once settled, though it relies on having a suitable branching coral host to feel secure, and can become stressed without one. A standard quarantine period of two to four weeks is recommended, and providing a suitable coral host from day one helps it settle more quickly.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Spotted Coral Croucher need a host coral?
It strongly prefers a branching stony coral like Pocillopora or Seriatopora for shelter and camouflage.
Is the Spotted Coral Croucher reef safe?
Yes, fully reef safe with corals and invertebrates.
What tank size suits a Spotted Coral Croucher?
As small as 100 litres works well given its tiny size, making it ideal for nano reef tanks.
Is the Spotted Coral Croucher shy?
Yes, it tends to stay close to its host coral and can be shy around larger or more boisterous tankmates.
What does a Spotted Coral Croucher eat?
Small meaty foods like mysis, brine shrimp, and fine pellets, along with naturally occurring copepods within its coral host.
Marine aquarium parametersOur recommended stable range for marine fish
Temp
24–26°C
Salinity
1.020–1.025
pH
8.1–8.4
Ammonia
0 ppm
Nitrite
0 ppm
Nitrate
< 40 ppm
Stability matters more than chasing perfect numbers. Quarantine new fish before adding them.

How collection works

1

Order & pay online

Check out and pay securely. We set it aside and hold it ready for you.

2

We get it ready

It stays in our system until you come in — usually ready the same day.

3

Collect in store

Drop in to 280 North Road, Eastwood, and pick it up.

You might also like

View all marine fish