Pristigenys alta experiences

[Monkeyfish]

Anyone here ever kept a Pristigenys alta (a.k.a. Big Eye soldierfish or short big eye)? I'm considering purchasing one for my 75 FOWLR, but have yet to come across anyone who has actually kept one. I'm interested in it's behavior (hide all day or out in the open), the tank it was kept in and its tank-mates. Thanks for any info you can provide (and yes I've already read about it in books and looked up faqs at various sites - I want to hear from someone who actually has or had one ;) )

[JHemdal]

Monkeyfish,

They are not the hardiest of fish over the long term, although they usually do quite well at first. Feeding is not a problem - they soon adapt to various seafoods cut into proper sized bites. They are prone to Cryptocaryon, I think I recall having to deal with Neobenedinia on one once as well. They are nocturnal, but will come out during the day. They may eat small fish and shrimp, and larger, aggressive feeders tend to steal food from them. Here is something I wrote about them in my Advanced Marine Techniques book:

Short Big Eye Pristigenys alta Priacanthidae
As adults, this species dwells at depths greater than divers can achieve, but juveniles are often found near the surface, and may even drift in ocean currents far north of the normal tropical habitat. In captivity, this species is especially prone to developing trauma induced exophthalmia which is very difficult to resolve. The fish will develop a protruding eye(s) and very frequently, air bubbles can be seen in the sclera. One technique is to attempt to recompress the gas bubble using a pressure chamber as described in the section on dissolved gasses. Take care when moving these fish, as it seems that simply flopping too violently in a net can be sufficient trauma to cause these air bubbles in their eyes.


Jay Hemdal

p.s. - wait until later summer, you ought to be able to catch your own if you find the right location around Long Island!

[Monkeyfish]

Thanks Jay. I have a friend who is a diver and typically catches several big-eyes during the summer. I think I'll just wait for him to fill my "order." ;)