Chirolophis nugator

Mosshead Warbonnet

saltwater

Bioload 0.3

Advanced care

Stichaeidae

Your complete care profile

Mosshead Warbonnet (Chirolophis nugator) is a saltwater fish associated with Eastern Pacific, with a recorded adult length of up to 15 cm. This source-backed catalogue profile brings its essential aquarium planning information together on one page.

Temperature

16–22°C

pH range

8.1–8.4

Minimum tank

160 litres

Typical lifespan

8 years

Diet

Carnivore

Origin

Eastern Pacific

Adult size

Up to 15 cm

Care level

Advanced

Care level recorded in the source-backed catalogue profile.

Aquarium context

saltwater system

Present in the aquarium trade

Planning to add Mosshead Warbonnet?

Check it against your aquarium before purchase, then use the complete preparation checklist below.

Check compatibility

Species identity

Know the fish

Common name

Mosshead Warbonnet

Scientific name

Chirolophis nugator

Family

Stichaeidae

Family group

Pricklebacks

Water type

saltwater

Native range

Eastern Pacific

Social planning

Individual assessment

Conservation

Not evaluated (N.E.)

Aquarium setup

Build the right system

A mature marine aquarium with stable salinity, strong gas exchange and no detectable ammonia or nitrite. Measure salinity rather than estimating it.

Use 160 litres as the minimum planning baseline before allowing extra space for a group, tank mates, decor and swimming behaviour.

Hold temperature at 16–22°C and pH at 8.1–8.4; stability matters more than chasing a single number.

Design the aquarium around the recorded adult length of 15 cm, not the juvenile size seen at purchase.

Provide retreat areas and visual breaks while preserving enough unobstructed space for normal movement and feeding.

Filtration & waste

Lower individual waste load (0.3 index), but group size and total stocking still determine the filter capacity required.

Feeding

Carnivore diet

Offer varied, appropriately sized animal-based foods. Confirm that the fish is eating and avoid relying on a single food long term.

Observe

Confirm every fish reaches food and swallows it.

Control

Stop before leftovers can decay in the aquarium.

Review

Track body condition, waste and feeding response over time.

Behaviour & tank mates

Community planning

Treat temperament as an individual assessment. Observe feeding and territorial behaviour, and keep a safe separation plan available.

No simple community match is approved in this profile. Plan species-only housing or obtain a specialist compatibility assessment before adding tank mates.

No pre-approved tank mate is listed. That is a safety signal, not a claim that every pairing will fail.

Health watch

Recognise warning signs early

These are risks to monitor, not diagnoses. Test the aquarium first and seek an aquatic vet or experienced specialist for severe, fast-moving or uncertain symptoms.

Marine ich

Watch for: White spots, scratching, rapid breathing, hiding or reduced appetite.

First response: Confirm in a quarantine setting and seek a marine-safe treatment plan; do not medicate a display reef blindly.

Environmental stress

Watch for: Hiding, faded colour, clamped fins, glass surfing, rapid breathing or appetite loss.

First response: Test water, review temperature and tank mates, reduce disturbance and correct problems gradually.

Before bringing one home

Five-point readiness check

The established aquarium is at least 160 litres and matches the required saltwater system.

Temperature and pH overlap the full 16–22°C and 8.1–8.4 ranges.

A suitable carnivore food is available and the seller can demonstrate that the fish is feeding.

Ammonia and nitrite test at zero, acclimation is planned and a quarantine or observation option is ready.

Every proposed tank mate has been screened for adult size, behaviour, feeding competition and water compatibility.

Run compatibility check

Data & source notes

Transparent, in-app data

IUCN N.E.

Catalogue source

FishBase · release 26.07

Species record

FishBase SpecCode 3781

Aquarium context

Present in the aquarium trade

Temperature basis

FishSnap temperate-marine planning baseline

pH basis

FishSnap marine planning baseline

Tank basis

FishSnap conservative planning baseline derived from adult size, water type, social ecology and family

Lifespan basis

FishSnap size/family planning estimate

Photo credit

Ed Bierman · CC BY 2.0

FishBase remains an editorial reference, but the useful species and care information is interpreted here so you do not have to leave FishSnap. Conservative planning baselines are labelled as guidance, not guarantees.