Species Name : Paracentropogon Zonatus

Care Level : Moderate

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : Red, White

Diet : Carnivore

Coral Safe : Yes

Fish Safe : With caution

Invertebrate Safe : With caution

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 2,5"

Family : Tetrarogidae

Minimum Tank Size : 15 gallons

Origin : Indo-West Pacific Ocean

Paracentropogon Zonatus is commonly referred to as Bandtail Waspfish. Paracentropogon is a genus of ray-finned fishes, waspfishes belonging to the subfamily Tetraroginae, which is classified as part of the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives, These fish are found in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean.

This fish can be up to 2,5 inches in length. The body compressed laterally, endowed with a dorsal fin starting from the top of the head until joining practically the superior base of the caudal fin.   When the dorsal fin is spread, it looks like a crest resembling the one on a cockatoo. This fish mostly stays on the substratum and moves by means of its pectoral fins. The color varies from ice white to dark red, with irregularly shaped spots. Their coloration changes either with the mood or with the type of camouflage. Like its close relatives, this species has venomous spines on its dorsal fin. They use their spines as a defense mechanism. 

Best kept in small 10-20 gallon tanks with minimal water flow as it is a slow bottom dwelling species. Aquarium environment should have open areas of sand and/or rubble where the species can dwell while waiting a meal. Its also somewhat shy, especially when first introduced into the aquarium and should have several caves to hide when feeling the need.They can thrive in a smaller tank due to them spending most of their time hiding out in their territory in the tank. It is very common to find them in the same spot every day and it shouldn’t raise any concern. Due to their lack of movement, they have slow metabolisms. 

Tankmates must be quite peaceful, as waspfish have large fins, making good targets for fin-nipping species.

They are spending most of their time in solitary, while the females have not hung out at all, they also have not shown any aggression toward each other. 

They can be trained on frozen food and potentially pellets; however, newly imported specimens may only accept live food. This fish may be small and cute but don’t let its cute looks fool you: If a fish can fit in its mouth, it will eat it. Make sure that any fish you add in an aquarium with a Waspfish is much bigger so it doesn’t become a snack.