Page 251 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

FILEFISH 249

Pervagor melanocephalus Chaetodermis penicilligerus
ROUGH DEFENSE
Orange-Head Filefish Tasseled Filefish
The small scales on a filefish’s body are
ORIGINS Throughout the Indo-Pacific region, including ORIGINS The Pacific region, from Malaysia to Japan in arranged randomly, producing raised areas
the coastal area of Australia and eastward to Hawaii. the north, and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in the south. that give a rough, ridged texture like the
SIZE 4 in (10 cm). SIZE 10 in (25 cm). surface of a file. The scales form a tough,
DIET Will take meat-based foods and algae. DIET Feeds on algae and meat-based foods. protective covering—hence the alternative
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline common name of Leatherjacket, which is
(pH 8.1–8.4) with SG 1.020–1.025. (pH 8.1–8.4) with SG 1.020–1.025. given to various filefish species. Because of
TEMPERAMENT Placid. TEMPERAMENT Not normally aggressive. their rough skin and their dorsal and ventral
spines, it is better to
Dorsal spine Small, beak- use a container
like mouth rather than a net
when trying to
Narrow
caudal catch them.
peduncle

Fan-shaped
caudal fin
This filefish tends to have a light-colored body
and a bluish head, although its appearance can
differ throughout its range. Hawaiian specimens The horizontal body stripes and the unusual tassel-
are the most colorful, with red bodies. House like appendages of this slow-swimming filefish
this filefish in an aquarium with decor that is as help to conceal it among the seaweed fronds on
bright as the fish itself, because in the wild it which it often feeds. The black blotches on each
frequents colorful areas on the reef, where its side of the body behind the eyes become less
slow movements help to disguise its presence. prominent as the Tasseled Filefish grows older.

Pervagor spilosoma Oxymonacanthus longirostris
Fantail Filefish Long-Nosed Filefish Long-Nosed Filefish can be identified by their
striking patterning of orange spots set against a
ORIGINS The Pacific region, north and east of Indonesia, ORIGINS The Red Sea and eastward through the Indo- sky-blue background. They are regarded as the
and north of New Zealand to Hawaii. Pacific region to the vicinity of Hawaii. most colorful of all the filefish, with attractive
SIZE 5 in (13 cm). SIZE 4 in (10 cm). alternating spokes of blue and yellow surrounding
DIET Eats meat-based foods and algae. DIET Algae and meat-based foods. the pupil of each eye. These filefish often prove
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline difficult to wean off of coral polyps—especially
(pH 8.1–8.4) with SG 1.020–1.025. (pH 8.1–8.4) with SG 1.020–1.025. the Acropora species, which they consume in the
TEMPERAMENT Not normally aggressive. TEMPERAMENT Shy and docile. wild—and onto substitute diets.
This species should not be confused with the
Hawaiian Redtail Filefish (P. aspricaudus), in which
the blotches on the body are replaced by fine dots.
In order to feel secure, the Fantail Filefish—like
all filefish—needs plenty of small caves in the
aquarium for use as retreats. When threatened, it
anchors itself in place with its spines and inflates
its body slightly, becoming difficult to dislodge.

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