Question on skunk tilefish
- Thread starter sc50964
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rachenbrazil
Member
They don't need sand but need cover (net would be better) on aquarium top as jumper it is. Calm aquarium will help in adaptation phase.
sc50964
New member
But LiveAquaria says that it needs at least 3" of sand for burrowing. Do they actually do that?
eatbreakfast
New member
They do not actively build their own burrow, but will use what is available even sharing with a jawfish or shrimp goby. They usually look for refuge near the base of rocks along the sand.
I have never kept a tilefish without sand, but I dont see any reason why they cant be kept that way.
They definitely need a cover.
I have never kept a tilefish without sand, but I dont see any reason why they cant be kept that way.
They definitely need a cover.
I've kept and sadly lost a number of tilefish over the years and I'd like to add a few comments to what has all ready been said.
As far as the sand or burrow goes, they need some kind of refuge or tunnel to live in. I kept my two purples in a 120 with about 1" of sand and they were just fine.
The biggest difficulty with these fish is keeping them in the tank. My most recent loss was a flashing tile that didn't jump, but actually wormed its way through a hole about the size if the blunt end of a sharpie. If there is an opening, they will find it.
Otherwise, once they are eating and recognize you as a food source, they become a very friendly addition to your tank.
As far as the sand or burrow goes, they need some kind of refuge or tunnel to live in. I kept my two purples in a 120 with about 1" of sand and they were just fine.
The biggest difficulty with these fish is keeping them in the tank. My most recent loss was a flashing tile that didn't jump, but actually wormed its way through a hole about the size if the blunt end of a sharpie. If there is an opening, they will find it.
Otherwise, once they are eating and recognize you as a food source, they become a very friendly addition to your tank.
sc50964
New member
Thanks for all the input. How about its susceptibility to disease? How about its compatibility to angel fish, tang, harlinquin tusk, and princess parrot fish? LA rates "caution" for all of them, but I can't envision them presenting as a threat to those fish. Pls let me know your experiences on them. Thanks.
eatbreakfast
New member
They can be very timid and skittish when first added, so depending on how much "attention" they recieve from your current inhabitants, could have a lot to do with how they adapt.
Within the 1st couple of weeks of being collected they are susceptible to decompression issues. They also seem prone to bacterial infections during this stage. Once they get past the first few weeks they are quite hardy and outgoing.
Within the 1st couple of weeks of being collected they are susceptible to decompression issues. They also seem prone to bacterial infections during this stage. Once they get past the first few weeks they are quite hardy and outgoing.
Agree with all this, would also add that my two purples came in loaded with flukes. I did a series of FW dips that took care of the problem and they handled them fine.
38bill
Member
My last purple also had flukes. Treating with PraziPro took care of that. Tank must be covered tightly with a min of 1/4" screen mesh. My last tile fish even managed to get just its head through the 1/4" mesh and I found it hanging there dead.
sc50964
New member
They are extremely difficult to see on a fish, usually you will notice symptoms as opposed to the actual parasite. Flared gills or hazy/cloudy eyes are a dead give away.
In the case of my purples, I could actually see the things because one of the fish was absolutely covered. When you do a FW dip, they start to come off the fish and look a small whitish kind of flake. Usually smaller than the head of a straight pin. It seems that i'm usually about to get the flukes off within the three to five minute mark on a dip, but i've left fish in as long as 30 minutes.
In the case of my purples, I could actually see the things because one of the fish was absolutely covered. When you do a FW dip, they start to come off the fish and look a small whitish kind of flake. Usually smaller than the head of a straight pin. It seems that i'm usually about to get the flukes off within the three to five minute mark on a dip, but i've left fish in as long as 30 minutes.
sc50964
New member
I have since done some research and your description is spot on. Thanks.
http://www.fishvet.com/Flukes.htm
http://www.fishvet.com/Flukes.htm
