Tilefish question

[FSOL]

Hey guys,

I have this nice purple tilefish that rarely comes out during the day. It just sits in some hole it made and once in a while comes out, swims a little, goes back in the hole.
Are these fish nocturnal or is mine stressed? I don't know what it eats either and seems like it's getting thin.

Thanks

 

[technoshaman]

Tilefish are collected from deeper water and sometimes have decompression related problems. They live in small groups or colonies made of coral rubble piled on the sea floor and spend much of their time rearranging their domain somewhat like a jawfish might. I've never kept tilefish but the purple is supposed to be one of the more delicate ones - additionally I've read they should be kept in pairs and not with any aggressive or intimidating fish or they will hide and not eat. Also reported to be skittish and prone to jumping.

Reef Fishes Vol 1 by Scott Michael has some good information on these if I am not mistaken.

 

[FSOL]

Thanks for the info. I've seen this guy take its head out of the water a few times, but hasn't jumped yet. If I lose this one, I won't purchase one again.

 

[SerranidTerror]

Purple Tilefish are very difficult to keep. Which is a shame as they are my favorite fish. Mine I was able to keep for about 6 months before it passed away Mine was very shy at first and never came out of it's lair. It also refused to eat. Then some how by magic mysis shrimp (frozen) triggered feeding in the tilefish (he then proceeded to eat every single flake and pellet food I dumped in.) Once he was eating he'd be out more often- but usually only at feeding time or to beg for food. This fish knew the feeding schedule and when I would come home from school!

Alas he finally got these annoying little parasites that would easily come off with a freshwater dip...but they kept coming back. He eventually died of an infection

The parasites came shortly after the head-above-water behavior began...so be awares!

 

[Duke76]

I've had a purple tilefish for about 2 years now. It was part of my initial stocking (on the advice of my LFS) together with a Lubbock's fairy wrasse, a midas blenny, an orangespotted goby, and a clown tang. The clown tang was the king of the tank and the purple tilefish tended to hide a lot, especially when the metal halides came on.

When I went on vacation a few months ago the clown tang got some kind of infection and I was unable to save him.

Since I lost the tang the purple tilefish (and the wrasse) have been out in the water column for most of the day. He is the first one to come out at feeding time and is my favorite fish.

Your tilefish may be hiding from another, more aggressive fish.

Also, mine tends to jump. My tank is covered so it is not a problem for me. Once he jumped out of the tank as my wife was feeding. Fortunately I was right there to put him back in.

It is a beautiful fish if the tank is not too aggressive for him.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

From what ive seen and heard, most tilefish do best in groups rather than singly, also.

 

[Bret61081]

I had one for about 3 months...like they said mine got a really bad infection aswell and died. If you do plan on keeping it, make sure it is in a tank with VERY CALM FISH! my LFS has one in their display for about a year b4 they took the tank down. His was always out in the 100G tank. It was with Anthias, a cheveron tang, a few wrasses and 2 angels. a Mine always ate small froozen silversides. Good luck with it and MAKE SURE YOUR TANK IS covered!! Mine jumped out the tinyest hole it could find when I first got it!

 

[FSOL]

Thanks for the help guys. I don't cover my tank and I won't cover it for the sake of one fish. There's just too much heat.