Rainbow Sea Perch

(Hypsurus caryi)

Hypsurus Perch should be added to aquariums with plenty of rock work, ledges, caves, cracks and crevices should be provided in order for them to perch and hide. Perch are somewhat feisty and will defend their territory, house one per aquarium. Most Perch are small, hardy and quite colorful making them a good addition to a home aquarium. All Perch start life as a female with the largest most dominant fish becoming a male. Hypsurus Perch may sift through the sand looking for its next meal of crustaceans, snails or worms. Perch are carnivores and will consume very small fish and other invertebrates. Feed a varied diet of meaty and algae based foods multiple times daily. Perch should be housed with tank mates that are not easily harrassed. Small Perch may act as cleaner fish picking parasites off of willing fish. .

Rainbow Sea Perch are also sometimes known as the Rainbow Surfperch. Uncommonly seen in the aquarium trade. Rainbow Sea Perch are quite lovely with red and blue stripes and red to brown thicker stripes on their sides. Anal and pelvic fins are a red to orange color trim in blue and dark spots on their anal and dorsal fin. Rainbow Sea Perch can grow to almost 13".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 100 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH

  • Care: CareModerateModerate
  • Behavior: BehaviorSocialSocial BehaviorAgressiveAgressive
  • Diet: DietFrozen FoodFrozen Food DietLive FoodLive Food
  • Habitat: HabitatReefReef HabitatPlantedPlanted
  • Light: LightMediumMedium