Razorfish / shrimpfish

The razorfish or shrimpfish (family Centriscidae) is an unusual marine species from the Indo-Pacific, instantly recognizable for swimming head-down in a vertical posture. Its body is thin, transparent-golden, and armored, with a dark horizontal stripe running from snout to the sharp-edged tail. It is a peaceful, schooling fish that moves in tight, synchronized groups, often sheltering among the spines of sea urchins or in seagrass. It should always be kept in a shoal, as lone individuals are stressed and fragile. This is a delicate species suited to specialist aquarists, requiring calm, mature aquaria with structures to hover among. It is a micro-predator that feeds on tiny zooplankton and needs frequent feedings of small live or frozen foods such as baby brine shrimp and copepods. Its specialized diet and timid nature make it challenging to maintain.