Purple Tilefish

Palani

New member
Has anyone had them before? They are an awesome fish, my LFS has had them in before, but I know they are jumpers and have a hard time taking in food. But I just want to hear what others have to say. Thanks.
 
I've had one now for a little over a month...it does hide a lot...always just showing its face. It does seem to be a smart fish. It knows what the feeder stick is and the turkey baster at feeding time! Once it becomes feeding time, it is out and a about! It wouldn't touch anything for about 3 days then slowly started accepting froozen mysis and chopped scallops. Now it likes small silversides aswell. I've been trying to get it to accept some spectrum but no luck yet... I have a small female blue throat trigger which is always swimming around and scares it and thats why it doesnt come out much...but who knows...Good luck with it if you do get it...and make sure your tank IS COVERED! mine tried to jump for the first few days but hasn't since(that I know of atleast)
 
Tile fish can be somewhat finicky - don't buy one that isn't eating. They should take a variety of meaty foods. They are peaceful fish and will not do well with aggressive tank-mates. Also, you should buy at least 2 as they appear to suffer less stress when other tile fish are are about. It's not necessary to have 2 of the same species, but that is preferable.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7199368#post7199368 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Monkeyfish
It's not necessary to have 2 of the same species, but that is preferable.

I'm not sure about that. my LFS had a purple tile fish in their display tank for about 2 months then added a flashing tile fish and there was a lot of aggression. the flashing tile fish wouldn't even come out till the purple one was taken out. But I have seen 2 purple tile fish in LFS together and they do seem much more mellow. this must be the maiting season or something for tile fish b/c I have seen LOTS of them in the trade recently.
 
anyone else with one of these?? There doesnt seem to be a lot of information about them anywhere...wondering if anyone has had one long term?
 
jumping

jumping

i once saw one of these jump right out of a tank and smack into the ceiling in a lfs.these thinggs are crazy jumpers.
 
Tilefish are notorious jumpers, I think even more so then wrasses.
The key to these fish is to get a healthy speciman that has been at the LFS for a few weeks. They are very poor shippers and tend to take some time to recover from the stress. If you can find a healthy alert speciman that the store has had for a while you might have a good chance of keeping it long term as long as its care requirements are met.

I my hunt for a flashing tile, I acctually went to the store in Ft. lauderdale to see one in person but they no longer had it in their display.
 
Thanks guys, I was thinking about adding 2 or 3 Purple tiles together. I've heard they do better in groups of their own species. I know they are jumpers, my friend's tile jumped out of his tank unfortunatly.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7265909#post7265909 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by triggerfish1976
Tilefish are notorious jumpers, I think even more so then wrasses.
The key to these fish is to get a healthy speciman that has been at the LFS for a few weeks. They are very poor shippers and tend to take some time to recover from the stress. If you can find a healthy alert speciman that the store has had for a while you might have a good chance of keeping it long term as long as its care requirements are met.

I my hunt for a flashing tile, I acctually went to the store in Ft. lauderdale to see one in person but they no longer had it in their display.

I posted that Exotic Aquatic had one a while back. He has actualyl been getting a flashing tilefish in about once a month, but sadly they are the worst shippers of them all. If you ask there, he will call you when he gets in them again b/c usually they are only there a few days b/c so many people want them! I wanted one aswell but settled on the purple tilefish(then 2 weeks later he got the flasher in!!! GRRR). They are GREAT jumpers. this past week mine jumped out of my tank at 330am! Thank god I was getting ready to leave for the airport so was awake when I heard it. It must have been looking pretty hard to find the one spot in my tank in the back where there is a hole and it got out! thank god it lived and is still eating like a pig. I too was considering adding another one b/c I read they like to be kept in groups but from what 2 LFS told me, they need to be added at the same time and not to mix species. Please post whatever you find out about yours...there seems to be very little information on these guys.
 
Purple Tilefish

I'll post a video of mine ... One of my favorite fish in the tank! He eats Mysis, brine and toys with some flakes...
 
<iframe width="853" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vTg2A2y_Opo?list=UUkYqm3yOIvDvg2ee6SIlhww&hl=en_US" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
6 year old thread? but....great fish. i had one in early 2000's that was the alpha fish in my 92 corner, ate anything bothered no one, including a purple tang. however, recently i have tried a couple of times unsuccessfully. one would never eat and died the other, hole in the head...i got both from LA. locally ,in miami, i've seen many at LFS; but not going to try again. i think it is the luck of the aquarist not his skill?
 
I would have to agree with choosing the correct specimen up front specifically one that is eating well and one that looks healthy aids in the long term success of keeping this fish. Funny thing is that I didn't even see how old this thread was. I am just excited about one of my new favorite fish!
 
I would have to agree with choosing the correct specimen up front specifically one that is eating well and one that looks healthy aids in the long term success of keeping this fish. Funny thing is that I didn't even see how old this thread was. I am just excited about one of my new favorite fish!

you have an incredible array of fish. very similar to my tank. the purple tile is also one of my favorite fish and once acclimated to his tank(rare, imo) they are almost bullet proof, ime. i noticed you have a cbb, how is he at feeding time. i have one that has become an aggressive eater and is doing well, also quite rare, ime....
 
you have an incredible array of fish. very similar to my tank. the purple tile is also one of my favorite fish and once acclimated to his tank(rare, imo) they are almost bullet proof, ime. i noticed you have a cbb, how is he at feeding time. i have one that has become an aggressive eater and is doing well, also quite rare, ime....

Thanks...I hope he is around for a long time, he does have a great spot to hang out so that will help. :hmm5: My CBB eats frozen Mysis and Brine and aptasia! He doesn't touch the flakes though...that's awesome yours is doing so well!
 
@dca22anderson... first off, you have a beautiful tank. how long have you had the Tilefish for? is there anything that you believe you have done differently to achieve success where so many aquarist have failed with this species? back to your tank, is there anywhere on this site or another that shows the build or any other information about it?

thanks
mike
 
Thanks Mike!

Here is a link to my build thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2162354

I have only had the tilefish for just over a week and a half but he is rocking! I made sure was eating and very active while in the LFS. I acclimated him over an hour with a few anthias. I have also feed him two to three times a day to keep him full. He found a secure hiding spot in a low traffic area. So far so good!
 
I have had one for 3 years in my previous tanks. Mine new set up I have had one only 3 months. Both of them were out and about all of the time. They both eat anything that I put in the tank. Flake, New Life Spectrum Pellets, mysis... If it is food and in the water, it gets eaten. Mine also both dug holes under the rock for a place to sleep. I keep a net top on my tank at all times.

IMG_2802.jpg
 
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