Filefish Lovers Thread

[Dierks]

Every other type of fish seems to have a "Lovers" thread... Why not our poor little Filefish friends? They are one of the most used utility fish in our hobby and get along with just about everyone on the reef. (Unless you are an invert!)

There are some really cool filefish out there, do you have one? I will get us started with the most common and obvious:

The Matted Filefish or Aiptasia Easting Filefish!

 

[i cant think]

Every other type of fish seems to have a "Lovers" thread... Why not our poor little Filefish friends? They are one of the most used utility fish in our hobby and get along with just about everyone on the reef. (Unless you are an invert!)

There are some really cool filefish out there, do you have one? I will get us started with the most common and obvious:

The Matted Filefish or Aiptasia Easting Filefish!

That file looks stunning!
Definitely joining this as I’d love to learn more about Filefish (I’ve overlooked them several times).

 

[MECOMI]

This was ours just after adding the Aip. Filefish to the tank at about a US quarter in size. Ours will forever be known as Rockbitter..Whoa-ha-ha!

 

[SkinnyMcGinny]

Bet aphasia solution I have ever found -- if you get the right one

 

[Dierks]

One more shot of a different little guy

 

[Wasabiroot]

I miss mine :( so weird and full of personality

 

[Wasabiroot]

I will probably get another but my previous one developed a taste for my cynarina and then jumped out through a narrow opening in the cover. I would agree with others that they seem to do a good job on aiptasia. I'll see if I can find any pics

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

YES!! We need a filefish lovers thread!! Great idea!!

 

[PatW]

There is the wonderful Caribbean slender file fish. It is very attractive and I see them sometimes when diving. They hide in amongst gorgonians and often have what looks like golden threads on their bodies. And they are quite small about 2”. I couple would be great in gorgonian centered Caribbean tank.

 

[mrbacony]

I have considered getting one for aiptasia control. But I am a little worried about their taste for acans.
Are peppermint shrimp just as good for aiptasia control?

 

[schooncw]

I "was" an aiptasia-eating filefish fan and have had several over the years. My last one-no aiptasia for this or previous ones to eat-was very well fed with frozen, flake, etc. but went rogue and decimated ALL of my numerous zoas, polyps and started on my Elegance.
It took weeks but I caught it and no more file fish for me, ever!

 

[Dierks]

It all comes

I "was" an aiptasia-eating filefish fan and have had several over the years. My last one-no aiptasia for this or previous ones to eat-was very well fed with frozen, flake, etc. but went rogue and decimated ALL of my numerous zoas, polyps and started on my Elegance.
It took weeks but I caught it and no more file fish for me, ever!

I think it comes down to your goals for your reef. There a lot of fish that can't be around softies but many, many people really enjoy them. I for one am a fish first guy so to me if they eat my coral i am okay with that. Others have different goals so these fish may not work well for them. That is the beautiful thing about reef keeping, there are a million different ways to go about it!!

 

[Dierks]

Quick Shot of the Orangetail Filefish - Pervagor aspricaudus -- This guy is from Africa

 

[Treeftrop]

Here's my Filefish, he's one of my favourite fish in the tank

 

[Dierks]

Here's my Filefish, he's one of my favourite fish in the tank

This is a fantastic Shot!! Super cool-looking file!

 

[Treeftrop]

This is a fantastic Shot!! Super cool-looking file!

Thanks he is a cool fish

 

[Treeftrop]

This is a fantastic Shot!! Super cool-looking file!

Just one more shot of this dude, he's so helpful in the tank and swims like no other fish. They're so underrated and people worry they'll eat coral polyps, he never has.

 

[MECOMI]

And here is another one of Rockbitter all grown up! They are ancient looking fish

 

[Ashwinclement]

The one i used to have in my macroalgae tank

 

[Sailaway]

There is the wonderful Caribbean slender file fish. It is very attractive and I see them sometimes when diving. They hide in amongst gorgonians and often have what looks like golden threads on their bodies. And they are quite small about 2”. I couple would be great in gorgonian centered Caribbean tank.

Saw a couple myself while freediving! Very interesting fish.