File Fish?

[Tank2379]

Can File Fish be reef safe? I am hearing they can be hit or miss? But I know for certain inverts will be gone... Has anyone tried them or had any luck with them?

Thanks

 

[Tank2379]

Anyone?

 

[Innovator]

It depends on the filefish species, but in general they will consume algae, polychaetes, soft corals, anemone's, etc...I'm sure the list is quite varied and often meaning extensive XD

 

[pat8you]

I know there is one species of them that will eat nothing but SPS polyps in the wild. Like innovator said there is a big difference depending on which species. I believe most of them are a bit more difficult to keep. I'm sure there is a range of difficulty though as well.

 

[Tank2379]

HHHmmmm... My LFS is selling a Green Filefish says they eat aiptasia, also it's a Matted Filefish like this one

Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Matted Filefish

 

[Innovator]

I have 2 green filefish and do they eat aiptasia? I dunno, haven't seen any disappearing. They do consume a variety of foods and that probably includes soft corals, polychaetes, and molluscs....ah...and found their diet: Food Items - Acreichthys tomentosus

 

[Tank2379]

Ok so basically they don't? If I am reading the food chart correctly? Are they hit or miss on eliminating the Aiptasia?

 

[Innovator]

Are they reef safe? Depending on your definition of "reef safe," probably not. I would consider them hit or miss on aiptasia. They definitely do not feed upon them alone, but probably would if that is all there was to eat