Purple Tilefish - A Beautiful Fish!

[bugs713]

I got two Purple Tile fish over the weekend and placed them into QT, QT blew a seam at 3am, bagged and acclimated them right into my 185 DT, then went to work cleaning up 10g of SW on the tile floor... Luckily the bad seam was half way down and only drained out half the water.

Anyway, I know they are extreme jumpers and may be hard to feed, but my top is weighted down and so far they have been eating everything I feed the tank. actually piggish. They are in with two Mimic Tangs, one Yellow Wrasse and two cleaner shrimp and all are happy. They are steady active and hide in the macro when lights go out.

I had only read about and seen pictures of these beautiful fish until Last Saturday when I found a pair at a LFS. There is not much info about them, including on RC search, does anyone here have these and what can you tell me?
Thanks!

Cleaner Shrimp goes surfing...

 

[btkrausen]

Those are gorgeous. I've been debating a Purple or a Bluejaw Tilefish lately and I can't wait to get one.

Good luck...keep us updated on how they do.

 

[albano]

I got two Purple Tile fish over the weekend ...

I had only read about and seen pictures of these beautiful fish until Last Saturday when I found a pair at a LFS. There is not much info about them, including on RC search, does anyone here have these and what can you tell me?
Thanks!

I know many sellers don't say so, but IMO they are NOT easy to keep. Not sure if I know anyone that has kept them long term

 

[btkrausen]

Thats exactly what I've read as well. I believe one went through Divers Den last week and I was disappointed that I wasn't able to get online on time to pick him up. I really like the coloration of these guys.

I've been watching the wholesalers list for tilefish, and the purple seems to be more available than most. They do have the flashing tilefish right now, but everything I've read is that they are super sensitive to stress.

 

[Inklinkerman]

Gorgeous fish, I was tempted by one last week but I decided against it as I dont know enough about them. So I'll be interested to see what others have to say.

 

[bugs713]

UPDATE
Both are doing great. I did have a problem with one having a pectoral fin stuck in his gill. How or why, I have no idea, but was able to catch him and successfully remove it last weekend, all is good now.

What I've learned:
*These guys have eaten everything I have fed the tank from frozen to pellets, but have found they like big chunky foods the best, like raw table shrimp. They remind me of a Great White when they eat chunky meaty foods like humans haha
*Their colors are vibrant and breath taking under MH lighting.
*They are mid to top swimmers and are very active swimmers, but will hover for a few minutes at a time so you can observe their beauty. They do spent time down by the sand, but mostly cruising higher up looking for food.
* The pair does not stray far from each other as they are almost always together. I see why it is said to keep them in pairs or three's.
* They are sharing the tank (185 tall) with 2 Mimic Tangs, 3 Oc Clowns, Yellow Wrasse, 2 Cleaner Shrimp, 2 Serpent Stars and various snails and crabs. I also have 2 RBTA's and some GSP with no problems at all. One of the Clowns is less than an inch and could actually fit in the mouth of the Titlefish, but there has been no aggression whatsoever.
* They sleep down in the rock at night and will quickly vanish to this hiding place if they have a reason to flee, such as a net in the water... but quickly come back out if their is food to eat. They are actually easy to catch!
* Tank size: They are in my 185g, 38" deep tank and like the other fish, love the deep water. I would not keep them in anything less than 90g, but they would probably do okay in a standard 55g with plenty of hideouts.
* They ARE jumpers! I first had egg crate as the cover, then made a 1/2" screen mesh cover which I keep firmly Velcro'ed down. They will sometimes skim the surface with 1" of their body out of the water, kind of like a dolphin at Seaworld...

I want more, but they seem rather hard to find. I'm hoping my LFS will be able to find them again.

An excellent fish!
:fish1:

 

[A sea K]

Please keep us updated on the fish's progress. Myself, like others mentioned here have always wanted some but have stayed away due to the reputation of being so difficult to acclimate to a captive environment. So far your's appear to be doing very well.

 

[captainandy]

I have two purples and four skunks and they are truly the coolest fish I've ever owned. They are difficult shippers but fairly easy to keep once you get them

 

[inigomontoya]

Hadn't heard that about the pairs, might look for another myself then. I have had one for about 3 months now and he is also fine in the tank. I have never seen a fish jump in the bag like this guy did, basically standing on the water. He has moved my screen before when he hits it- they are serious jumpers.
Great fish though, started off very shy and hid in the reef but now will brush against my hand when feeding or cleaning glass, not scared at all.

 

[bugs713]

Post some pictures of your Tiles, would love to see others!

 

[38bill]

They are cool fish but everybody I know that has had them lost them due to jumping. A screen with 1/2" mesh isn't going to keep them in, !/4" mesh would be the max I would use.

 

[bugs713]

I don't think they could make it through or get stuck in the 1/2" mesh, but the others could. I just got 10' of 1/4" mesh from a local group buy and will re-screen the top this weekend just to be safe. Thanks 38bill!

 

[rssjsb]

Good idea. You'd be surprised what small spaces fish can jump through, especially long narrow fish like these. I would waste no time getting the smaller-mesh netting up.

 

[Greymalkin]

I'm seriously thinking about getting a pair. God, they're beautiful! I guess they would make a fantastic quartet along with my yellow tilefish!

 

[Lmax8rn]

I have had a trio of these magnificently colored fish and can't think of any other fish I love more! I have had them about 6 months now, bought them same day from my LFS as they knew I had been looking for some for a year and a half. They have been easy feeders, friendly, and out and about most of the day. I have them in my 180 gallon reef, and they don't seem to mind the light, but they have their cave if they so desire.

Recently I have noticed some behavior that I think is "courting", and I am very pleased that they are possibly spawning! I don't think I am exactly set up for the fry, but hopefully some of them will survive.

I have not found them any more difficult to keep than an anthias, however they can, will, and have jumped. I have a VERY tight 1/4 inch mesh lid, and fortunately when they have jumped out, it's only when I move the top screen to feed, and I have scooped them off the carpet and put them back in. I have even had to devise a clever way to prevent them from jumping into the overflows and up on top of the center partition/brace between there and the mesh top.

So, far so good, they were hell-bent on jumping out, but I am even more hell-bent on them NOT jumping out! I win so far.... lol! If you are considering this fish, I am sure it will quickly become one of you all time favorites, but make sure there are no holes for them to escape through. As far as the spawning, I will keep you posted. Say a prayer!