Justletters7
New member
My LFS has a little matted Filefish and was wondering what kind of care do they need, tank size, you know the general stuff.
Curious about Filefish
- Thread starter Justletters7
- Start date
Bought mine to help with aiptasia and majanos knowing that they can pick on lps corals. Figured after it did it's job that they are easy to catch and pass it on to another reefer. Well mine helped clear my tank of both pest (along with peppermint shrimp), moved my donut-like corals to another tank since these were the only corals that it nipped at, and have kept the filefish as a welcome and cool looking addition.
Justletters7
New member
So it will probably eat cleaner shrimp right?
Thanks for the replies!
Thanks for the replies!
MrTuskfish
Team RC
Probably. I haven't kept one of these in years, but remember it needed a very quiet tank and several daily feedings. (I feed almost all of my fish about 4X daily, just enough so they eat it all). Here's what LA says, this is a great reference for the basics on most fish: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+30+2562&pcatid=2562
Justletters7
New member
Thank you for your help.
You mention they need a quite tank does that mean fish that don't swim around as much or the tank need to be in a quite location?
You mention they need a quite tank does that mean fish that don't swim around as much or the tank need to be in a quite location?
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MrTuskfish
Team RC
I am no authority on these guys, but do remember a few things. There are a number of fish that do better with quiet, non-aggressive tankmates. Even if the aggression isn't directed at them. They don't like a lot of mayhem, especially at feeding time. Copperband butterfly fish are similar in this regard. The more space & shelter sites, the more comfortable they seem to be.
Yogre
Cheesehead Reefer
I bought a bristletail filefish to help with an aiptasia infestation. She's been very effective in that regard, I haven't seen any aiptasia in my tank in some time.
She does nip at certain corals, especially my birdsnest, but it seems to be big enough that she isn't harming it. She's also harassed my zoas and a rock anemone, but she seems to have tired of that and they are making a comeback.
She will readily eat PE mysis and Rod's frozen food. As others have noted above, she's definitely not the most aggressive eater, but she seems fat and healthy so she must be getting enough to eat.
Overall, a cool fish that happens to serve a very useful purpose in my tank.
She does nip at certain corals, especially my birdsnest, but it seems to be big enough that she isn't harming it. She's also harassed my zoas and a rock anemone, but she seems to have tired of that and they are making a comeback.
She will readily eat PE mysis and Rod's frozen food. As others have noted above, she's definitely not the most aggressive eater, but she seems fat and healthy so she must be getting enough to eat.
Overall, a cool fish that happens to serve a very useful purpose in my tank.
corabeauty4
New member
I haven't seen them touch a cleaner shrimp. My LFS has one in a 110 with 2 cleaner shrimp …haven't noticed any trouble in that regard. The lobos fate was different…
Justletters7
New member
Will the Filefish be ok in a 29 gallon tank?
Not planning to have any corals, maybe some feather dusters, and all my fish will be peaceful.,
Thanks for all your help!
Not planning to have any corals, maybe some feather dusters, and all my fish will be peaceful.,
Thanks for all your help!
