Inimicus didactylus

Datasheet

General Description:The Bearded Ghoul, also known as the Spiny devilfish, Longsnout stingerfish, Devil stinger, or Bearded ghoul, is a member of the Synanceiidae family, specifically belonging to the Inimicus genus. This species is characterized by its venomous spines and its tendency to partially bury itself in the sand for camouflage and protection. It can grow up to 25.0cm in size and is typically found in the East Indian Ocean, Australia, Indonesia, and the Central/West Pacific regions.

Aquarium Suitability:Aquarists considering the Bearded Ghoul for their tank must exercise caution as they are highly venomous, potentially posing a fatal threat. Their care demands experience, preparation, and extra care due to their venomous nature. These fish are best kept in an aquarium with a sufficient layer of sand to allow for their burrowing behavior.

Care and Hardiness:This species requires a tank with a minimum size of 200 liters and thrives better when kept as the sole specimen of its kind in the aquarium. They are peaceful in nature but can be predatory, preferring live feeds such as small fish and shrimps. The diet should be highly nutritious, varied, and fed a couple of times a week to ensure optimal health and nutrition.

Reef Suitability:The Bearded Ghoul is considered reef safe with caution, meaning it can be kept in a reef tank, but careful observation is necessary to prevent any harm to other reef inhabitants.

Aquarium Setup:To replicate their natural habitat, the aquarium setup for Bearded Ghouls should include a special substrate such as coral gravel or fine sand to mimic their burrowing behavior. Water conditions should ideally have a temperature range of 22.2-25.6°C, a pH of 8.1-8.4, a specific gravity of 1.020-1.025, and a carbonate hardness (kH) of 8-12.

Behaviour:These fish are generally peaceful but can become predatory towards smaller tankmates. They are known to eat fish and shrimps that fit in their mouth and may even consume other members of their own species if there is a significant size difference.

Feeding and Diet:Bearded Ghouls prefer live feeds such as live fish or shrimp, although some specimens may be trained to accept frozen foods. Feeding should include small whole fish and crustaceans to ensure a balanced and nutritious diet.

Habitat and Distribution:The Bearded Ghoul is predominantly found in the Indo-West Pacific region, ranging from Thailand to Vanuatu, north to the Ryukyu Islands and southeast China, and south to Australia. Its natural habitat includes sandy or rocky bottoms where it can bury itself for camouflage and protection.