Planehead Filefish

[Squidhead9]

Our local lfs just got a "mystery" fish in with their latest shipment and I've identified it as a planehead filefish. Probably not a good reef tank inhabitant, but I was curious if anyone has any experience with this particular filefish. I haven't been able to locate any information on it.

 

[LisaD]

I love filefish. Some are pretty okay in reefs, it depends. I have several filefish that don't bother the few corals I have.

Is this what it looks like?

http://www.reefngom.org/planfile.html

I don't have experience with this species, but I consider most filefish to be similar to triggers, but much less aggressive.

 

[namxas]

Stephanolepsis hispidus reaches about 10"-11" as an adult, and is found in the Eastern Atlantic, especially in patches of Sargassum kelp. in fact, they're a bit like a tasselated filefish without the "tassels". their diet is mostly crustaceans and algae.

depending on where the exact fish was collected, it may prefer cooler water temps.

that's about all i can tell you, as i'm familiar with the fish, but have never kept one.

 

[Squidhead9]

That's the one.

I love filefish. Some are pretty okay in reefs, it depends. I have several filefish that don't bother the few corals I have.

Is this what it looks like?

http://www.reefngom.org/planfile.html

I don't have experience with this species, but I consider most filefish to be similar to triggers, but much less aggressive.

 

[heaton]

Looks sweet!

 

[roc5288]

Awesome fish i had one in my 180g reef didn't mess with anything.
Very shy. One morning when i turned on my light's there it was with his head
caught in one of my clams dead. Clam didn't want to let go.So be careful. going to try and locate the pic if i still have it. Good luck if u decide to add one.

 

[michael_cb_125]

I catch them off the NC coast in patches of sargassum. I have kept tiny ones (under 1") in my reef for several months without issues.

~Michael

 

[Squidhead9]

Ok, the test has begun

He is in the tank

 

[Ron Popeil]

its been a few years, but how did this turn out?