Blue Whiptail

Care

The Blue Whiptail is a solitary species known from clear, coastal reef slopes to depths of 35m (115ft). This is the most commonly seen Nemipterid (threadfin bream)  in the trade, largely on account of its bright blue and yellow colouration. These inquisitive fish make hardy aquarium residents, and they will keep the substrate turned over with their sand sifting abilities. The natural diet consists of various motile invertebrates, so they are best suited to fish only aquariums that have wide expanses of live sand (at least 5cm/2" in depth), along with some rocky areas to create shady hiding places. They should not harm corals directly, but may unwittingly cover them with sand as they sift the substrate and release into the water column what they don't consume. Juveniles can be kept together in groups very successfully, however, as the fish mature, they often become a little territorial with their own kind and may require their own aquaria. Having said this, Blue Whiptails are generally very peaceful towards other fish that are large enough not to be considered a snack, and tankmates should be of similar size and temperament. The tank should have tight fitting coverslides as these fish are expert jumpers. May also be seen on sale as the Small Toothed Whiptail, Double Whiptail, Banana Fish, or Yellow Stripe Spinecheek.

Feeding

Offer a varied diet of meaty foodstuffs such as vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis shrimp, krill, chopped cockle/prawns/mussel/squid/clam meat etc.

Breeding

This species has not been bred in the home aquarium.