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Tilefishes or sand tilefishes are mostly small Percomorpha marine fish comprising the family Malacanthidae. They are usually found in sandy, shallow areas, especially near Coral reef. Exceptionally colorful species of tilefish are favored for Aquarium.
Previously, the placement of this family within the Eupercaria was uncertain. The 5th edition of Fishes of the World classified them within the Perciformes but in a grouping of seven families that may have a relationship to Acanthuroidei, Monodactylidae, and Priacanthidae, while other authorities place it outside the Perciformes, at an order level but with its true relationships being incertae sedis. Another study from 2000 even found a potential relationship between the tilefish and the Dactylopteridae, but later studies have not followed this. More recently, phylogenetic evidence has conclusively found that tilefishes belong to a wider clade of largely reef-dwelling fishes in the order Acanthuriformes, and are likely related to Lutjanidae.
The following two genera are classified within the family Malacanthidae, in total it contains 16 species.
The oldest known definitive fossil tilefish is † Hoplolatilus visendus, known from a fossil skeleton discovered from the Middle Eocene of the North Caucasus, Russia.
Both tilefish families have long Dorsal fin and Anal fin, the latter having one or two spines. The gill covers (opercula) have one spine which may be sharp or blunt; some species also have a cutaneous ridge atop the head. The tail fin may range in shape from truncated to forked. Notable exceptions include three small, vibrant Hoplolatilus species: the purple sand tilefish ( H. purpureus), Starck's tilefish ( H. starcki), and the redback sand tilefish ( H. marcosi).
Tilefish Larva are notable for their elaborate spines. The family name Malacanthidae, is based on the type genus Malacanthus which is a compound of the Greek language words malakos meaning "soft" and akanthos meaning "thorn", possibly derived from the slender, flexible spines in the dorsal fin of Malacanthus plumieri.
Most species are strictly marine; an exception is found in the blue blanquillo ( Malacanthus latovittatus) which is known to enter the brackish waters of Papua New Guinea's Goldie River.
Tilefish feed primarily on small Benthos Invertebrate, especially Crustacean such as crab and shrimp. Mollusk, Worm, Sea urchin, and small fish are also taken.
Many species form monogamous pairs and others colonial. Some species, such as the rare pastel tilefish ( Hoplolatilus fronticinctus) of the Indo-Pacific, actively builds large rubble mounds above which they school and in which they live. These mounds serve as both refuge and as a microecosystem for other reef species.
The reproductive habits of tilefish are not well studied. Spawning occurs throughout the spring and summer; all species are presumed not to guard their broods. Eggs are small and made buoyant by oil. The Larva are Pelagic zone and drift until the fish have reached the juvenile stage.
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