Flashing Tilefish, Hoplolatilus chlupatyi

There are some things a photo cannot to do justice to, and this is one of them. Check out the flashing tilefish on YouTube, where you'll see examples of swift colour changes that make octopus look like amateurs, a true master of colour change with its unique ability to change its colour with great rapidity. The overall dorsal colouration can be salmon pink, orange, green, violet or blue.

They need an aquarium with at least 3 inches of mixed substrate for burrowing, and a tight-fitting lid to prevent escape. It prefers to associate with members of its own species as tank mates and needs a lot of swimming room for its very active lifestyle.

A diet providing a variety of marine fish, crustacean flesh, and mysis or brine shrimp will give the Chameleon Tilefish the nutrition it needs when fed three times per day.

Part communication, part camouflage, the colours can switch in a heartbeat, making it an exciting fish to own.