Monkeyfish
Active member
That crab sounds like a real monster! What species was it?
Oxymonacanthus longirostris ( Orange Spotted Filefish )Primer
- Thread starter gemini aquarius(t)
- Start date
gemini aquarius(t)
Always Learning
I found a store in my area (Reef Raft USA) that had 4 of the FATTEST OSFs I have ever seen. They were picking at acros in the holding tanks so I decided to grab one. He is very big compared to what I have seen, and also pretty darn thick. He has been picking at all the acros in my tank, and LOVES my green slimer. Havent had any luck on the Ova yet, but I will keep trying.
Good luck all
Good luck all
gemini aquarius(t)
Always Learning
From what I have read, they dont actually damage the coral. We will see.
Ali's tank is the reason I became so obsessed with these fish. His were eating pellets, and I was instantly enthralled with these guys!
You should think about getting one. In your tank, I dont think it would even be noticeable.
rssjsb
New member
Well, it depends on the coral. Mine killed a 2.5" millie frag in a week. They also killed a small frag of pocillapora.
Since that time I've introduced a few more SPS colonies, but have tried to limit them to smoother, less bushy types (suhrasonoi, lokani, granulosa). They pick when its new, but don't seem as obsessive about it.
bullitr
broke but happy
Actually I will have some in my sump
Just haven't seen anything that eats yet.
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Rapide
New member
I was reading this study just the other day about them eating corals, and it seems that they did not eat the polyps! Good news... As I have said before, the OSFF eats really small pods and slime from the SPS. If the coral is small or a frag or there is only one or two SPS, they may cause the death of the coral. They pick on the coral and the frag keeps the polyps inside the skeleton. When there is not that many corals they pick on the same one all the time, coral stays closed and dies off eventually. In a full blown reef this is not a problem. Small fresh cut frags are still vulnerable, plus they tend to host more critters, and that's why the OSFF prefers them...
rssjsb
New member
That's the theory I've been operating under, Rapide. I've been adding more colonies in an effort to spread out their "affection." So far it seems to be working ok. I bought a huge colony of blue ridge coral recently, andit put out a lot of slime when I put it in the tank. My OSFF and several other fish were all over it for about an hour, then they lost interest.
On the subject of their wild diet, I think I read somewhere that stomach contents of wild OSFF were almost all coral polyps with a few eggs found occasionally, suggesting that the polyps are what they eat and the eggs are "bycatch" from grazing sps colonies.
We've seen surprising successes with this fish, at least compared to what was thought of them in the days when they were doomed to die within days in an aquarium. This suggests that this diet is not obligatory, at least in the short term. But I think they do eat polyps.
On the subject of their wild diet, I think I read somewhere that stomach contents of wild OSFF were almost all coral polyps with a few eggs found occasionally, suggesting that the polyps are what they eat and the eggs are "bycatch" from grazing sps colonies.
We've seen surprising successes with this fish, at least compared to what was thought of them in the days when they were doomed to die within days in an aquarium. This suggests that this diet is not obligatory, at least in the short term. But I think they do eat polyps.
gemini aquarius(t)
Always Learning
Well. I have new research..
OSFFs DO EAT CORALS
haha I have one and he has absolutely dominated 8 good sized colonies. One of which was a 12"x 12" colony of monti cap. At first I just noticed lack of polyp extension, but since I didnt have any extremely expensive sps, I figured I would let this experiment play out. He ate them all. Birdsnest, monti cap, encrusting monti, Digitata, bali tricolor, assorted acros, green slimers, and poccilopora. all gone.
Now ya know
OSFFs DO EAT CORALS
haha I have one and he has absolutely dominated 8 good sized colonies. One of which was a 12"x 12" colony of monti cap. At first I just noticed lack of polyp extension, but since I didnt have any extremely expensive sps, I figured I would let this experiment play out. He ate them all. Birdsnest, monti cap, encrusting monti, Digitata, bali tricolor, assorted acros, green slimers, and poccilopora. all gone.
Now ya know
gemini aquarius(t)
Always Learning
RIP osff. Im done with those guys for now. Until I find one that eats prepared before I buy it. or when I have a huge tank with tons of established acro colonies. They are on my impossible list for now... sucks.
