Bristletail Filefish

  • Vibrant and captivating Bristletail Filefish, known for its unique bristle-like appendages and fascinating camouflage abilities.
  • Thrives in well-maintained marine water conditions with a pH of 8.1-8.4, salinity between 1.020-1.025 SG, and stable temperature around 72-78°F (22-26°C).
  • Can be housed with other non-aggressive species like gobies, blennies, and cardinalfish.
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SKU: 8672

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Introduction: The Bristletail Filefish, known for its fascinating texture and unique ability to blend with its surroundings, is a charming marine species often sought after by aquarium enthusiasts. Its muted colors and bristly appearance make it an intriguing addition to saltwater tanks. Native to coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region, the Bristletail Filefish displays calm behavior and can even mimic its surroundings for protection, offering both beauty and function in reef aquariums.

Scientific Name: The Bristletail Filefish is scientifically known as Acreichthys tomentosus. Commonly, it is also called the Bristletail Filefish or the Aiptasia-Eating Filefish due to its appetite for pest anemones.

Water Quality and Temperature:

  • Temperature: Keep the water temperature between 72°F to 78°F (22°C to 26°C) for optimal health.
  • pH Level: The ideal pH range is between 8.1 to 8.4, mimicking their natural reef environment.
  • Salinity: Maintain a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 to ensure stable marine water conditions.
  • KH Level: Keep the carbonate hardness (KH) between 8 to 12 dKH.

Feeding: Bristletail Filefish are omnivores and have a varied diet. In addition to their known preference for pest anemones (Aiptasia), they will also eat:

  • Frozen Foods: Offer a mix of frozen brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and krill to ensure balanced nutrition.
  • Algae-Based Foods: Include algae sheets or spirulina-based foods to support their herbivorous side.
  • Pellets and Flakes: High-quality marine pellets and flakes designed for omnivores can supplement their diet.

Tank Mates: The Bristletail Filefish is relatively peaceful, making it suitable for community reef tanks. Ideal tank mates include other peaceful fish like gobies, clownfish, and wrasses. However, it may nip at soft corals or small invertebrates, so caution should be taken when housing them in reef tanks with sensitive species. Avoid aggressive tank mates that could bully the filefish.

Substrates and Tank Decorations: A sandy substrate with live rock formations is ideal for the Bristletail Filefish. They enjoy hiding among rocks and coral, using their ability to blend into their environment as camouflage. Provide plenty of rockwork with crevices for them to retreat and explore.

Suitable Plants: While marine fish typically don’t interact much with plants, macroalgae such as Caulerpa or Halimeda can be added to the tank, providing a natural and aesthetically pleasing habitat that may also serve as occasional grazing material for the filefish.

Sexing: Sexing the Bristletail Filefish can be difficult as males and females appear quite similar in color and size. There are no obvious external differences to easily differentiate between the sexes.

Breeding: Breeding Bristletail Filefish in captivity is rare but possible under the right conditions. They are egg layers, depositing their eggs on flat surfaces such as rocks or the aquarium glass. To encourage breeding, maintain stable water parameters and provide a stress-free environment with plenty of food. Fry care can be challenging, as they are tiny and delicate.

Maximum Size and Longevity: Bristletail Filefish typically grow to about 4 inches (10 cm) in length. With proper care, they can live up to 5 to 7 years in a well-maintained marine aquarium.

General Information: The Bristletail Filefish is a slow-moving and calm fish, often displaying curious behavior and blending with its surroundings using its bristle-like texture. Its ability to consume pest anemones such as Aiptasia makes it a valuable addition to reef aquariums, helping to control these invasive species. While generally peaceful, its tendency to nip at corals means careful consideration should be given when placing it in a reef setup.

A Fun Fact: The Bristletail Filefish has a remarkable ability to change color and texture to blend into its environment, much like a chameleon. This adaptation helps protect it from predators and also makes it one of the most fascinating camouflage experts in the reef world.

Family

Monacanthidae

Origin

Indo-Pacific

Social

Peaceful

,

Semi-Aggressive

Breeding

Egglayer

Care Level

Intermediate

pH Level Aquarium pH measures water acidity/alkalinity. 7 is neutral. Fish have pH preferences; maintain ideal levels for their health and stability.

8.1 – 8.4

GH Level GH (General Hardness) in aquariums measures minerals like calcium and magnesium. It affects fish health by showing water\'s mineral content.

8 – 12 dGH

KH Level KH (Carbonate Hardness) in an aquarium stabilizes pH. It acts like a shield, keeping the water conditions just right for fish.

8 – 12 dKH

Temperature Ideal temperature needed for fish

22°C – 26°C

Life Span

5 – 7 Years

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