filefish

[iwishtofish]

Occasionally I see them in people's successful reef tanks. Which ones are the "safest" for corals and inverts? Any tricks, such as specialized feeding, to make them better citizens? Or are they, like dwarf angels, just hit-or-miss?

 

[small alien]

What species are you considering. Some are safer than others. All are a risk to a reef.

 

[iwishtofish]

I hadn't considered a specific species yet. I just want unique fish. The more I read, the more I get the impression filefish are better in larger reefs, where damage will not be as noticeable. I only have a 75g tank.

 

[SecretiveFish]

Matted filefish seem to be the 'safer' of the filefish but many will attest to that not being true. Ours does not mess with our corals, but I do not have any 'meaty' LPS coral that seems to be a delectable delight for them.

I tried an orange-tail filefish (Pervagor melanocephalus) in a reef type tank and boy howdy was that a mistake. He ate zoanthids, a fungia, snails, hermit crabs, a clam, and when he went after the cleaner shrimp enough was enough. There are some other corals he killed but for the life of me I can't remember what they were. He did not go after the frogspawn and xenia but I think it was just a matter of time before he did.

 

[iwishtofish]

Matted filefish seem to be the 'safer' of the filefish but many will attest to that not being true. Ours does not mess with our corals, but I do not have any 'meaty' LPS coral that seems to be a delectable delight for them.

I tried an orange-tail filefish (Pervagor melanocephalus) in a reef type tank and boy howdy was that a mistake. He ate zoanthids, a fungia, snails, hermit crabs, a clam, and when he went after the cleaner shrimp enough was enough. There are some other corals he killed but for the life of me I can't remember what they were. He did not go after the frogspawn and xenia but I think it was just a matter of time before he did.

Hmmm. Maybe just a bad idea, but that's all it was. I don't have enough money to be constantly replacing corals! Thanks!

 

[SDguy]

My matted file is 100% reef safe in my VERY mixed reef. Ate all majanos and aptasia though

 

[snorvich]

My matted file is 100% reef safe in my VERY mixed reef. Ate all majanos and aptasia though

I love mine. So far, no corals (9 months) but also no aiptasia. Great little fish, however.

 

[iwishtofish]

My matted file is 100% reef safe in my VERY mixed reef. Ate all majanos and aptasia though

I love mine. So far, no corals (9 months) but also no aiptasia. Great little fish, however.

Great testimonials! Thank you both!

 

[Rybren]

My matted file was great as long as there was aptasia available. Once it was gone, he went after the LPS.

 

[capt85]

Here is the story of the matted filefish I had.

Previous owner- only ate zoas and palys.
Me- ate duncans,dendros,and acans
Next owner- ATE NO CORAL! AH!

I loves the fish and loved the uniqueness but when it went for my dendros I had enough of him.

Best of luck.

 

[Monkeyfish]

I have a tassled filefish in a softy reef. He hasn't touched any of the shrooms or leathers in the tank. Can't comment in regards to LPS or SPS as there are none in that tank.

 

[aftershock]

I got a matted filefish. I had a pretty major aptasia problem and he ate everyone in a matter of days. He did turn to coral after. Duncans, Frogspawn, and a colonies of palys were destroyed. There is another clump of palys which he has not touched. He does nip at xenia but I have so much that it doesn't affect it. My tank is mainly sps which it doesn't touch Hasn't touched the clam either. Did mess up a fire shrimp pretty bad which I had to find a new home for.

Overall, reef-safe? Not completely. But it's a permanent resident due to its appetite for aptasia.

 

[SDguy]

I wish mine would eat palys LOL.

Hmmm, perhaps the amount of food entering the tank makes a difference. I feed a lot.

 

[roni]

I do too. 2 matted pipefish in a mixed reef. no majanos or aiptasia any more. corals fine.

 

[Rybren]

Hmmm, perhaps the amount of food entering the tank makes a difference. I feed a lot.

I feed a lot as well, but I never saw my filefish eat any of the food that I fed to the tank. I did, however, see him chowing down on the LPS.

Luckily, I managed to get him out before he did any permanent damage.