Aiptasia Eating Filefish

Aiptasia Eating Filefish

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Acreichthys tomentosus

Overview
Reef Compatible: YES
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Docile
Origin: Eastern Asia 

The Aiptasia Eating Filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus) is a fascinating and functional saltwater fish that can be a valuable addition to your aquarium. Let’s explore some interesting details about this unique fish:

1. Appearance:

• The Aiptasia Eating Filefish has a mottled olive-drab coloration, which helps it blend in with its surroundings.
• Its most notable features include a large dorsal fin (similar to a triggerfish), sturdy ventral fins, and a fan-like tail.
• Despite not being the brightest fish in the tank, its character, personality, and behavior make it captivating to observe.
• When swimming, it hovers gracefully, undulating its fins, scanning the aquascape for food.

2. Natural Habitat:

• In the wild, these filefish are found close to shore, often near beds of seagrass.
• They prefer a laid-back, slow-swimming lifestyle, harnessing water currents like a sail to move around.
• While they may not thrive in extremely high-flow reef tanks, moderate-to-strong gyre water flow suits them well.

3. Feeding Behavior:

• As their name suggests, Aiptasia Eating Filefish primarily target the dreaded pest aiptasia(glass anemones).
• However, there’s no guarantee they’ll hunt down all the anemones, and they also consume other food items.
• Their measured approach to feeding contrasts with the constant grazing of other fish like tangs.

4. Tank Compatibility:

• These filefish are generally peaceful toward other fish, except those of their own genus.
• They do well in a large fish-only aquarium, where their unique personalities can shine.

In summary, the Aiptasia Eating Filefish combines utility (by controlling aiptasia) with charm, making it an intriguing choice for marine enthusiasts!