Barred Soapfish
Diploprion bifasciatum
Also known as: Two banded grouper, Two-banded perch, Two-banded sea perch, Two-banded soapfish
A reef predator that poisons its own tank water when threatened.
About
The barred soapfish (Diploprion bifasciatum) is one of those fish that immediately demands attention. Two bold vertical yellow and dark brown bands cross a deep, laterally compressed body, making identification easy even at a glance. Native to a broad sweep of the Indo-West Pacific, from the Maldives and India out to Papua New Guinea and ranging between southern Japan and Lord Howe Island, it occupies a surprisingly wide range of coastal habitats: rocky reef caves and crevices, coral formations, and even semi-silty nearshore zones down to considerable depths. That habitat flexibility hints at a fish that is adaptable by nature. In the aquarium, however, its carnivorous lifestyle is the first thing to plan around. It is a capable ambush predator with highly expandable jaws, able to engulf prey that looks far too large to fit. Tank mates smaller than itself are simply food. The other consideration is grammistin, a skin toxin this fish releases when stressed. In an enclosed aquarium that can foul the water and harm other inhabitants, so careful handling and a calm, low-stress environment are genuinely important. A species best suited to a species-only or large-fish predator setup kept by someone with some saltwater experience already under their belt.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Barred Soapfish get?
- The Barred Soapfish reaches about 8–10" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Barred Soapfish need?
- A minimum of 75 gallons is recommended for the Barred Soapfish.
- What water parameters does the Barred Soapfish need?
- The Barred Soapfish does best with a temperature of 72–78°F, a pH of 8–8.5, hardness around 8–10 dGH.
- Is the Barred Soapfish aggressive?
- The Barred Soapfish is aggressive and is best kept alone or with robust tankmates that can hold their own.
- What does the Barred Soapfish eat?
- The Barred Soapfish is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Barred Soapfish live?
- With good care, the Barred Soapfish typically lives 3-5 years.
- Is the Barred Soapfish reef safe?
- The Barred Soapfish is not considered reliably reef safe and may harm corals or invertebrates.