Orange spotted filefish

[fishguy2242]

Hey guys,


I’m starting a 3ft (90cm) tank in February and I really want to keep an Orange Spot Filefish.


I've found a shop that gets them from the TMC Fiji line, and they're supposedly already trained to eat Gamma frozen food and pellets. I know they have a "hard to keep" reputation, but has anyone tried these specific ones that are already eating frozen?


I’m also a bit worried they might be too slow to get food and the other fish in my tank beat him. Is it a nightmare to keep them fed, or do they settle in okay if they're already eating the "good stuff"?


Would love to hear from anyone who has actually kept one recently!

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Hey guys,


I’m starting a 3ft (90cm) tank in February and I really want to keep an Orange Spot Filefish.


I've found a shop that gets them from the TMC Fiji line, and they're supposedly already trained to eat Gamma frozen food and pellets. I know they have a "hard to keep" reputation, but has anyone tried these specific ones that are already eating frozen?


I’m also a bit worried they might be too slow to get food and the other fish in my tank beat him. Is it a nightmare to keep them fed, or do they settle in okay if they're already eating the "good stuff"?


Would love to hear from anyone who has actually kept one recently!

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Here in the US, these filefish coming through the standard fish supply chain (long) from SE Asia have a nearly zero survival rate.

The ones you describe, from Fiji and being conditioned by TMC would be a better bet. If you can confirm the fish eating before you buy it, I would say go for it. However, I would wait at least six months for your new tank to become fully established before getting one.

Quarantine is an issue as these don’t do well in new or bare tanks. You will just need to risk it I think.

To put this in perspective, as a retired public aquarium curator, I haven’t ordered one of these in 40 years. I get them as “substitutes” once in a great while, but overall, I don’t acquire these willingly.

 

[fishguy2242]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Here in the US, these filefish coming through the standard fish supply chain (long) from SE Asia have a nearly zero survival rate.

The ones you describe, from Fiji and being conditioned by TMC would be a better bet. If you can confirm the fish eating before you buy it, I would say go for it. However, I would wait at least six months for your new tank to become fully established before getting one.

Quarantine is an issue as these don’t do well in new or bare tanks. You will just need to risk it I think.

To put this in perspective, as a retired public aquarium curator, I haven’t ordered one of these in 40 years. I get them as “substitutes” once in a great while, but overall, I don’t acquire these willingly.

"Thanks so much for the reply! That’s incredible that you were a curator.


I definitely hear you on the 6-month wait. I’m planning to start the tank in February, so I’ll hold off on the Filefish until at least August or September to make sure the tank is stable.


Since I won't be able to quarantine him, I'm planning to run a 20W UV sterilizer on the tank to try and keep things safe for my other fish.


When the time comes, I’ll definitely make sure the shop shows me him eating frozen before I take the risk. Thanks again for the heads up on the SE Asia supply chain vs the Fiji ones!"

 

[Boehmtown]

They eat exclusively coral polyps. There's additionally, not just a health risk with prepared (but probably ok). But there's a chance of mental risk also. If there's nothing to do all day (inspect and pick at sps polyps). What will they do? Will they ever enjoy just floating around. Kinda like getting a working dog. They need a job or don't do well. Not something I'm telling you definitely, cause I don't know. Just something to think about

 

[fishguy2242]

They eat exclusively coral polyps. There's additionally, not just a health risk with prepared (but probably ok). But there's a chance of mental risk also. If there's nothing to do all day (inspect and pick at sps polyps). What will they do? Will they ever enjoy just floating around. Kinda like getting a working dog. They need a job or don't do well. Not something I'm telling you definitely, cause I don't know. Just something to think about

I've been thinking a lot about the 'mental risk' you mentioned, and I’ve decided to change my plan to really prioritise the well being of the fish.


I’m planning on getting a bonded pair of the TMC Fiji Orange Spots. My thinking is that having a partner will provide natural social interaction and help them feel more secure.


To handle the 'job' aspect, I’m going to use the dry coral skeleton/holey rock method. I’ll be smearing Masstick and Gamma-based pastes into the crevices so they can spend their day together 'foraging' and picking at the skeletons just like they would on a reef.


With no aggressive or big fish to out-compete them and a partner to swim with, do you think a 3ft established system would be a sustainable home for a pair?

 

[OSFF]

I have kept these fish for roughly 7 years now. I don’t think they’re as difficult as people seem to think. Once you get them eating frozen brine and mysis, they do quite well. I feed mine twice a day with hikari brine and mysis soaked in selcon. They will also feed on soft coral polyps. Mine love picking at the Kenya tree.

 

[fishguy2242]

I have kept these fish for roughly 7 years now. I don’t think they’re as difficult as people seem to think. Once you get them eating frozen brine and mysis, they do quite well. I feed mine twice a day with hikari brine and mysis soaked in selcon. They will also feed on soft coral polyps. Mine love picking at the Kenya tree.

That is awesome to hear! 7 years is incredible success—it’s great to see a photo of one looking so healthy.


I’m definitely planning on going the TMC Fiji route to get that head start on frozen food. It’s encouraging that yours does well on just twice-a-day feedings of Mysis and Brine. I'll make sure to pick up some Selcon to soak the food in like you do.


Since I'm planning on a pair, do yours show any aggression to each other, or are they pretty peaceful as long as they're fed well? Also, do you find they bother other tankmates like Blennies or Clowns?

 

[OSFF]

That is awesome to hear! 7 years is incredible success—it’s great to see a photo of one looking so healthy.


I’m definitely planning on going the TMC Fiji route to get that head start on frozen food. It’s encouraging that yours does well on just twice-a-day feedings of Mysis and Brine. I'll make sure to pick up some Selcon to soak the food in like you do.


Since I'm planning on a pair, do yours show any aggression to each other, or are they pretty peaceful as long as they're fed well? Also, do you find they bother other tankmates like Blennies or Clowns?

The male chases the female occasionally but it’s never been an issue. I’d make sure that you have a female and male (females have a solid black flap and males have a black a white spotted flap) as I have seen relentless aggression from multiple males.

As for aggression with other tank mates, they are about as peaceful as it gets. I added a pair of true Percula clowns to the tank as well as a Midas blenny and the filefish pair couldn’t care less. I’m not sure how much damage they could even do to another fish even if they tried as they just have a tiny pinhole for a mouth.

 

[fishguy2242]

The male chases the female occasionally but it’s never been an issue. I’d make sure that you have a female and male (females have a solid black flap and males have a black a white spotted flap) as I have seen relentless aggression from multiple males.

As for aggression with other tank mates, they are about as peaceful as it gets. I added a pair of true Percula clowns to the tank as well as a Midas blenny and the filefish pair couldn’t care less. I’m not sure how much damage they could even do to another fish even if they tried as they just have a tiny pinhole for a mouth.

I’m actually thinking about trying a trio in my new 90cm build. I’m hoping a third fish might help break up some of that one-on-one chasing you mentioned. The plan is to go for one male and two females to avoid any male-on-male aggression.


I’ll definitely be checking the ventral flaps like you suggested to make sure I get the sexes right (spots for the male, solid black for the females). It’s really good to know they’re so chill with other tank mates—that’s exactly the vibe I’m going for.


What’s your take on a trio vs. a pair though? Do you think a 3ft tank is enough space for two females to stay happy with one male, or would you just stick to a pair? I’d love to have a little 'fleet' of them, but I’m curious if you think it makes things more peaceful or just adds more drama

 

[OSFF]

I'm not sure about the trio. I have only seen long term success with singles, pairs and a few groups of 6+. A 3ft tank should also be fine. I have my pair in a Red Sea 170L.

 

[fishguy2242]

I'm not sure about the trio. I have only seen long term success with singles, pairs and a few groups of 6+. A 3ft tank should also be fine. I have my pair in a Red Sea 170L.

That’s really helpful to know, thanks! I’ll definitely stick to a pair then and forget about the trio. It’s good to hear you’ve had them long-term in a Red Sea 170—my 90cm is pretty much the same size, so that gives me a bit more confidence.


I’m going to start with a single one first and focus on getting it feeding well. I've got a breeder box ready so I can spend the first couple of weeks training it on Masstick and some coral pellets without the other fish getting in the way.


Once that one is settled and looking fat, I’ll look for a mate. I’ll keep an eye out for the ventral flap spots to make sure I get a proper pair. Thanks again for the advice on the group size, definitely saved me a headache there!

 

[OSFF]

I'm not sure about the trio. I have only seen long term success with singles, pairs and a few groups of 6+. A 3ft tank should also be fine. I have my pair in a Red Sea 170L.

That’s really helpful to know, thanks! I’ll definitely stick to a pair then and forget about the trio. It’s good to hear you’ve had them long-term in a Red Sea 170—my 90cm is pretty much the same size, so that gives me a bit more confidence.


I’m going to start with a single one first and focus on getting it feeding well. I've got a breeder box ready so I can spend the first couple of weeks training it on Masstick and some coral pellets without the other fish getting in the way.


Once that one is settled and looking fat, I’ll look for a mate. I’ll keep an eye out for the ventral flap spots to make sure I get a proper pair. Thanks again for the advice on the group size, definitely saved me a headache there!

That’s a great method for training them. I’m not sure where you found the coral pellet idea but that was the only thing that my pair ate at first. Specifically the Fauna Marin LPS pellets. I’m not sure what is in them but the filefish love them for some reason. I was able to convert them to frozen food by blending the pellets in a coffee grinder and soaking the powder into the brine and mysis. Took a few days for them to start picking at it in the breeder box but eventually they took to the frozen.

Good luck! This is my favorite fish species by far and it’s so cool to have such a rare species. I never get tired of looking at them.

 

[fishguy2242]

I'm not sure about the trio. I have only seen long term success with singles, pairs and a few groups of 6+. A 3ft tank should also be fine. I have my pair in a Red Sea 170L.

That’s a great method for training them. I’m not sure where you found the coral pellet idea but that was the only thing that my pair ate at first. Specifically the Fauna Marin LPS pellets. I’m not sure what is in them but the filefish love them for some reason. I was able to convert them to frozen food by blending the pellets in a coffee grinder and soaking the powder into the brine and mysis. Took a few days for them to start picking at it in the breeder box but eventually they took to the frozen.

Good luck! This is my favorite fish species by far and it’s so cool to have such a rare species. I never get tired of looking at them.

That’s incredible info—thank you so much!


It’s so encouraging to hear from someone who has successfully kept and enjoyed this species for 7 years. They really are stunning fish, and I can see why you never get tired of looking at them.


Knowing that a pair can thrive long-term with the right care gives me a lot of confidence as I set up my own display. Thanks for being so helpful and for the well wishes—I’m really looking forward to getting started! Cheers!

 

[littlest reef]

Hi,

I don't know how your plan is coming now that it's February but I just wanted to second that I don't think these fish are as difficult as once thought - it's really the specimen you receive. I had a male-female "pair"....the female was significantly thinner than the male, and he showed significant aggression when feeding, but otherwise swam with her as a pair. Unfortunately, that level of aggression caused her to just wither away. I separated them but once she stopped eating she just wouldn't eat.

May be odd then for me to say they are easy to keep - the male has been extremely easy. I fed him masstick on an acrylic rod to simulate SPS for about 2 weeks. After that I figured out he goes crazy for the very small probiotix pellet: https://premiumaquatics.com/product...wF4FGwEGRoCeUAQAvD_BwE&variant=47329525760242

He's in a 30 gallon with a mating pair of clownfish. Has no issue competing with them for food. There is minimal aggression. Very cool fish - I recommend if you can get a good specimen. I would maybe pump the breaks on getting more than one though (as you seem to have considered).

 

[Reefchik]

The male chases the female occasionally but it’s never been an issue. I’d make sure that you have a female and male (females have a solid black flap and males have a black a white spotted flap) as I have seen relentless aggression from multiple males.

As for aggression with other tank mates, they are about as peaceful as it gets. I added a pair of true Percula clowns to the tank as well as a Midas blenny and the filefish pair couldn’t care less. I’m not sure how much damage they could even do to another fish even if they tried as they just have a tiny pinhole for a mouth.

I have a pair I've kept for 2 years now, they eat exclusively pellets for me but are very fat and healthy. They are overall very peaceful and get along with everyone, with the major exception of the time I tried to add a leopard toby puffer when they were in my fowlr. They attacked it viciously and are actually able to do a surprising amount of damage with those tiny mouths. I was able to remove the puffer very quickly and it recovered and was rehomed, but just something to keep in mind for compatibility.