i have no clue what the scientific name is and the thing will eat anything i give it! but really. he eats shrimp pellets.. i generally throw one in every other day for the crabs for some extra nutrition, but he devores that.. i give my marine fish flakes and frozen shrimp.. he devores that, i give my violet goby crushed krill... he devores that! so anything he eats.. hes a good fish but more active and aggresive then his tank mates and there all very very peaceful fish.. gobys and dragonets.. so hes got to go...