© Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0Filefish
The filefish is a charming saltwater fish known for its small, pursed mouth and habit of nibbling on algae. It has a gentle temperament, mixes easily with other fish, and adds lively movement to any tank. Its narrow mouth is suited to picking small organisms out of rock crevices, so it is sometimes introduced to help control Aiptasia anemones. Results vary widely between individuals, though, and some fish ignore Aiptasia or even pick at corals, so it is safest to treat it as something that may help. It takes to a wide range of foods, including macroalgae, frozen food, and pellets, and is considered beginner-friendly. With a lifespan of 5 to 10 years and an adult size of 10 to 25 cm, the filefish makes a great long-term companion for a marine aquarium.
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Apply as a breederFilefish key facts
- Care level
- Beginner-friendly
- Lifespan
- 5-10 years
- Size
- 10-25cm
- Diet
- Seaweed, Frozen food, Artificial feed
- Feeding
- Some individuals eat Aiptasia
- Notes
- May nip at corals, use caution
- Container & Tank
- Adult size ranges from 10 to 25cm depending on species, so a medium tank of 120L or more is recommended. Give larger species extra room.
- Tank Mates & Compatibility
- Peaceful and easy to keep with other fish. In a reef tank, count on it as a pest-control fish only in the sense that it sometimes works.
- Diet & Feeding
- Fairly easy to wean, it eats seaweed and frozen food readily. Prepared food can be used as well.
About Filefish
The filefish is a charming saltwater fish that picks small organisms from rock crevices with its small mouth. Some individuals eat Aiptasia, though others may pick at corals. It takes to food readily and is a beginner-friendly species to keep.
7 things to know before welcoming a Filefish
1Some individuals eat Aiptasia
Filefish have a narrow mouth and are good at picking small organisms out of rock crevices and holes, so they sometimes eat Aiptasia anemones that have multiplied in the tank. Results vary widely between individuals, however, and some fish ignore Aiptasia or pick at coral polyps and bristle worms, so treat this as something that may help.
2Adapts well to varied foods
Filefish accept a wide variety of foods, including macroalgae, frozen food, and pellets. Offering a varied diet makes it easier to maintain good nutritional balance and simplifies daily feeding.
3Beginner-friendly to keep
The filefish takes to food relatively easily and is considered a beginner-friendly marine fish. That said, as a marine fish it still requires consistent attention to basics like temperature and specific gravity.
4Gentle and easy to mix
The filefish has a gentle temperament and generally mixes easily with other fish. You can enjoy watching it move actively at feeding time, though personality varies between individuals.
5Grows to 10-25 cm as an adult
Adult filefish typically reach 10 to 25 cm, with some variation depending on the species and individual. When bringing one home, plan for a tank size that comfortably accommodates its eventual adult size.
6A 5-10 year commitment
With a lifespan of 5 to 10 years, the filefish is a relatively long-term companion among saltwater fish. Consider your long-term care plans before bringing one home.
7Watch corals and invertebrates
Filefish are gentle and mix easily with other fish, but they may pick at corals, and some individuals nibble coral polyps and bristle worms. If you keep one in a reef tank, check the layout and the compatibility of its tankmates in advance.
Frequently asked questions about Filefish
- Q.Can beginners keep a filefish?
- A.Yes, the filefish is considered beginner-friendly and is relatively easy to get feeding. That said, it still requires the basic water quality management common to all marine fish.
- Q.Do filefish really eat Aiptasia?
- A.With a narrow mouth suited to picking organisms out of crevices, some filefish do eat Aiptasia. However, results vary widely between individuals, and some fish ignore it or pick at corals, so treat it as something that may help.
- Q.How long do filefish live?
- A.Filefish typically live 5 to 10 years. With proper care, you can enjoy keeping them for a long time.
- Q.How big do filefish get?
- A.Adult filefish typically reach around 10 to 25 cm. It's important to prepare a tank size that accounts for their eventual adult size.
- Q.What do filefish eat?
- A.Filefish eat a wide range of foods, including macroalgae, frozen food, and pellets. Offering a balanced combination helps support their health.
Useful tools for Filefish care
Learn more about Filefish in the encyclopedia
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Care difficulty, lifespan, size and diet — all basics covered.
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