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Description
The Sandy Reef Feather (Machairoura harenochromis) is a species of Thalassogyrinid Plumicaudoid Ichthyomorph from the northern purple reefs.

Sandy Reef Feathers are most common in the under-reef of mushroom type osteophyte forests.

They lie on the seafloor most of the day, camouflaging against the sand as they feed on microscopic algae and soft-bodied osteophytes.

Like many other Sea Feathers, they possess an incredibly compact body with reduced fins alongside its length.

The postbranchial extension of the tail creates the long caudal fin, longer than the body itself, mostly used as a decoy for predators.

As with most members of its group, the tail is easily cut off if pulled, allowing the animal to escape predation by sacrificing manoeuvrability, at least until they regrow the lost appendage.

Contrary to other Shallow water Sea Feathers, these species don't like life in massive colonies, preferring to hang around in much smaller groups of 3-25 specimens.

the small paired Anal fins moved anteriorly to the body, are often used to draw in the organogenic sand, a behaviour that creates puff balls of detritus it can use to escape dangers or attract a partner.

By arching the body up and down and flapping the Anal and Pectoral fins quickly, they court their partner by demonstrating their ability to dig in the sand with fins and head, a skill used to build the little nests the eggs will then be deposited in.

While not particularly selective over mates, these Sea Feathers are among the only known examples of members of the family exhibiting actual mating courtships.

While not incredibly common, the species is also kept in private aquariums due to its friendly nature and entertaining social behaviour.
The species will require a tank with plenty of hiding spots and limited open water space, requiring the owner to set up a false under-reef environment for them to feel safe.

To feed them any algae and soft-bodied osteophyte micro granulate will do but it is advised to set up the tank so that its food source grows naturally as they will prefer to forage for their food as they would do in nature compared to hand feeding.

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Description
The Sandy Reef Feather (Machairoura harenochromis) is a species of Thalassogyrinid Plumicaudoid Ichthyomorph from the northern purple reefs.

Sandy Reef Feathers are most common in the under-reef of mushroom type osteophyte forests.

They lie on the seafloor most of the day, camouflaging against the sand as they feed on microscopic algae and soft-bodied osteophytes.

Like many other Sea Feathers, they possess an incredibly compact body with reduced fins alongside its length.

The postbranchial extension of the tail creates the long caudal fin, longer than the body itself, mostly used as a decoy for predators.

As with most members of its group, the tail is easily cut off if pulled, allowing the animal to escape predation by sacrificing manoeuvrability, at least until they regrow the lost appendage.

Contrary to other Shallow water Sea Feathers, these species don't like life in massive colonies, preferring to hang around in much smaller groups of 3-25 specimens.

the small paired Anal fins moved anteriorly to the body, are often used to draw in the organogenic sand, a behaviour that creates puff balls of detritus it can use to escape dangers or attract a partner.

By arching the body up and down and flapping the Anal and Pectoral fins quickly, they court their partner by demonstrating their ability to dig in the sand with fins and head, a skill used to build the little nests the eggs will then be deposited in.

While not particularly selective over mates, these Sea Feathers are among the only known examples of members of the family exhibiting actual mating courtships.

While not incredibly common, the species is also kept in private aquariums due to its friendly nature and entertaining social behaviour.
The species will require a tank with plenty of hiding spots and limited open water space, requiring the owner to set up a false under-reef environment for them to feel safe.

To feed them any algae and soft-bodied osteophyte micro granulate will do but it is advised to set up the tank so that its food source grows naturally as they will prefer to forage for their food as they would do in nature compared to hand feeding.

Join the Community:

Discord