{"product_id":"big-eye-squirrelfish-myripristis-amaena","title":"Big-Eye Squirrelfish (Myripristis amaena)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Brick Soldierfish is a cave-dwelling, nocturnal predator from the reef flats and seaward slopes of the Pacific, and one of the more visually dramatic members of the Holocentridae family available in the trade. Its pale rose-pink body is defined by bold dark red scale margins that create a striking tile-like pattern across the flanks, a dark streak running behind the operculum to the pectoral base, and the genus' signature oversized eyes built for hunting in low-light conditions. Hardy, peaceful with appropriate tankmates, and genuinely rewarding to watch after the display lights dim, this is a fish that suits a patient keeper who appreciates what happens in a reef tank after hours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy we love it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStriking tile-patterned brick-red and pink colouration with oversized eyes that look spectacular under blue-heavy or reduced lighting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA genuinely nocturnal fish that brings life and active hunting behaviour to the tank during evening and night viewing hours\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeaceful with all fish too large to be considered prey; can be kept in small groups in large enough systems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHardy and straightforward to maintain once feeding reliably on frozen foods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn unusual and infrequently stocked species that stands out immediately in any large FOWLR display\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSuggested parameters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperature: 22–27°C (72–80°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSalinity: 1.020–1.026 SG\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epH: 8.0–8.4\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlkalinity: 8–12 dKH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmmonia\/Nitrite: 0\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNitrate: Under 20 ppm; stable, established water quality is important for long-term health\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare and temperament\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDifficulty: Moderate. Hardy once feeding, but transitioning off live food and managing its nocturnal feeding schedule requires patience\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperament: Peaceful toward fish too large to be prey; can become mildly territorial toward tankmates that enter its daytime cave if space is limited\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReef safe: With caution. Corals are completely safe. Small fish, ornamental shrimp, small crabs, and other small crustaceans are at significant risk of predation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMinimum tank size: 125 gallons, with extensive cave and overhang structure; this species grows quickly and needs space that matches its adult size\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDiet\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Big-Eye Squirrelfish is a dedicated carnivore with a nocturnal feeding pattern that should be accommodated rather than ignored.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLive saltwater feeder shrimp, grass shrimp, or ghost shrimp are often necessary to trigger an initial feeding response; weaning onto frozen foods should follow gradually\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrozen mysis shrimp, krill, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, and chopped meaty marine preparations once established\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOffer at least one feeding session after the display lights are off or significantly dimmed; this species feeds most actively and confidently in low light\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTarget feeding with a feeding stick is helpful in community systems where faster tankmates may outcompete it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeed once to twice daily; soaking frozen foods in a quality vitamin supplement is recommended\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCompatibility and tankmates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorks well alongside larger, robust fish including tangs, angelfish, larger wrasses, hawkfish, groupers, and lionfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWill eat small fish, ornamental shrimp, small crabs, and any crustacean small enough to be taken; stock accordingly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCan be kept in small groups of three or more in large systems with ample cave structure; pairs may bicker, making odd numbers preferable and simultaneous introduction essential\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid highly assertive or boisterous species that will outcompete it at feeding time or prevent it from emerging comfortably at dusk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot suitable for tanks with small gobies, dartfish, firefish, or other small, slender species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHealth and acclimation notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Big-Eye Squirrelfish has a large swim bladder that makes it sensitive to loud sounds and tapping on the glass; avoid unnecessary disturbances around the tank, particularly during the settling period. Because of this same anatomy, always use a container rather than a net when handling or transferring this fish: nets can easily damage the large eyes and become tangled in the fin spines, causing serious injury. Once established and feeding on frozen foods in a cave-rich system, this is a durable, long-lived animal. Its fast growth rate means a suitably large system from the start is strongly preferred over the approach of upgrading later. Quarantine before introduction to an established display is always recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat you are buying\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou will receive: 1 Big-Eye Squirrelfish (Myripristis amaena)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColouring is a pale rose-pink to brick red with bold dark red scale margins, a dark opercular streak, and a dark blotch above the pupil; fin colouration is uniformly red without the white leading edges seen on related Myripristis species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize and exact colouring intensity may vary between individuals; please see size options at checkout\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Little Shop of Coral","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53487625208081,"sku":null,"price":70.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/5196\/6737\/files\/SQUIRRELFISH-BIG-EYEMyripristisamaena.png?v=1777657056","url":"https:\/\/littleshopofcoral.ca\/products\/big-eye-squirrelfish-myripristis-amaena","provider":"Little Shop of Coral","version":"1.0","type":"link"}