Bristletailed Filefish

[Varanus37]

Anyone having luck with these critters? I've had my guy for several months now and he eats anything I put in the tank plus the Aip's. Picks Hikari pellets from the top of the tank and will pull brine shrimp right off of the cube if I toss it in the tank still frozen. I still see him picking through the rocks and eating the few baby Aip's that sprout now and again. He's fat and appears perfectly healthy. Just wanted to know if anyone else out there was having luck.

I've seen the presentation on the breeding of the Harlequins and would love to try and find a way to pair my File up. They really do have great personality and this guy will come up to me for food just the same as my clowns. He has no fear at all and seems to coexist with everyone.

Just my experience.

Bill

 

[Varanus37]

Just some pics of my guy.

He has some noticeable color shift at times. I haven't snapped any pics of him when he really lightens up. For the most part he seems to shift during feeding.

Bill

 

[Sigmund]

Just picked one up at my LFS yesterday. It has been in one of there display reef tanks for a few months, was fat healthy, and was not bothering any of the corals, but eating Aip's.

Took me a few weeks to convince the guy at the LFS to try to catch him for me. Luckily yesterday was a slow day, and he said he could use the sale.

Ate a little brine/mysis this morning, a little worried that he will not get his share, as the angels, clowns, wrasses, basslets eat faster, just have to target feed him a little.

I like the beautiful and colorful fish as much as anyone, but I've always had a special liking for the interesting and odd (jawfish, blennies, gobies, etc.). This Filefish certainly qualifies.

As Varanus37 mentioned, I also would be intrested in hearing others experiences....

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

I've had mine in my 55 gallon sump since July and she is an aiptasia eating machine. A very beautiful and interesting little fish, mine eats any meaty seafood but really like the small mysis. I'm on the lookout for a male and would love to pair her up and possibly get another pair for the main display.

 

[Varanus37]

Glad to hear there are others having success. Feel free to post some pics.

Bill

 

[huskerreef]

I got a pair for my 620 that was being over run by Majanos, they quickly gobbled them up over the next few weeks, they eat anything I put in there. Of course now they ate all my Duncans and tried to eat a cup coral as well. It was to late before I noticed the Duncans getting eaten, did save the cup by moving it to another tank. I guess I have to make the choice, majano's or some corals be munched. The majanos were causing more trouble so I guess the fish stay...for now.

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

Acreichthys tomentosus is the genus/species name and although I cant get a good pic in my sump this pretty much what mines looks like. She was a pale jade green in the bag when she shipped but went all mottled brown in the tank. Just an awesome fish.

 

[Varanus37]

See, I've had no problems at all with feeding on corals of any kind. Hopefully I'm just lucky and not simply waiting for the worst, haha. I do wonder if it has something to do with pairs though. Likely not but it's a thought.

Bill

 

[zoosalert]

does it pose a danger to small inverts eg.sexy shrimps,small cleaners shrimps,peppermints?

 

[njfish77]

These guys are reef safe? or kept with caution?

 

[njfish77]

These guys are reef safe? or kept with caution?

 

[goodtimes2]

Based on my own experience, they will more than likely pick on your coral.

 

[Sigmund]

njfish77,

With caution. Not many fish can be considered completely reef safe. In fact probably half of the fish in my reef right now are considered reef safe with caution.

Just have to decide if you are willing to risk it, and then if it starts nipping, what is it nipping on, and do you care more for the coral, or the fish.

I also train my fish to eat occaisonally out of a clear plastic container (critter container) that has a door, so that if I ever need to catch a fish, I have a quick and effective way to get them out. Works for probably 90% of the fish I have put in my tank.

 

[Varanus37]

That is an awesome plan.