Aiptasia eating filefish

[Claus84]

I'm considering either a pair or a small group of Biota aip eating files for a new 55g FOWLR i'm setting up.

Anyone owners out there keep this species in groups? If so what would you recommend a pair or more? just curious if there are any interesting behaviours I would be missing out on keeping a pair as opposed to 3 or 4.

Thanks

Nick

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I've never heard of anyone keeping more than 1 in a tank that small. Maybe someone from the #reefsquad will know.

 

[DSC reef]

Never kept a pair but the one we kept was pretty shy at first most likely due to the purple tang but after a month or so it became a very personable fish that would greet you and eat from my hand. Would still have him except after a couple years he developed a taste for acans.

 

[drawman]

I have one in a 60 gallon tank and she keep the aiptasia at bay. Unfortunately, she also likes euphyllias so they are a no go in my tank. Acans have been fine for me.

If I were you I would stick to a pair at most. I'm assuming you would get aggression with more and possibly even so with a pair.

 

[JaimeAdams]

We have had groups of them together and never saw any type of aggression. They pretty much just seem oblivious to each other. We currently have 2 in a 40 gallon frag tank for maybe 4 or 5 months now and they are fine, but there is no real interactions between them.

 

[jsker]

I have one in my 72g system, and he has done a great job.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I've had multiples in tanks before. They ignore each other.

 

[Claus84]

Thanks all, appreciate it. I reckon I'll go for a pair, seems coral munching is a running theme but I don't plan to add any, aside from some surplus xenia spilling over from my reef which they are welcome too!