
Source: Wikimedia Commons
A charming fish with small mouth eating seaweed. Also valued for controlling Aiptasia anemones.
"Filefish" (family Monacanthidae) covers several species in the aquarium trade, including the bristle-tail filefish and the tasselled filefish. They share sandpapery skin, a small pursed mouth and an erectile first dorsal spine; adults run 10-25 cm depending on species. The fine snout is made for picking prey out of crevices and small holes, and that habit is why some are introduced to reef tanks as biological control for aiptasia anemones. Results vary a great deal, though: some individuals ignore aiptasia entirely, and others turn to coral polyps or worms instead, so treat aiptasia control as a possible bonus rather than a plan. They wean onto food easily and take algae and frozen preparations well.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Filefish lives 5-10 years.
The Filefish grows to 10-25cm.
Lifespan
5-10 years
Size
10-25cm
Temperature
23〜26℃
Seaweed, Frozen food, Artificial feed
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Primary sources
Find listings for this species
Medium tank (120L+) recommended
Some individuals eat Aiptasia
Peaceful and easy to keep with others
May nip at corals, use caution
Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.
The average lifespan of Filefish is 5-10 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Filefish typically reaches 10-25cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Filefish feeds on: Seaweed, Frozen food, Artificial feed. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Filefish varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: June 13, 2026