Seagrass Filefish in a Tropical Marine Aquarium

A Reef Compatible, Aiptasia-Eating Saltwater Aquarium Filefish

The seagrass filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus) is a saltwater fish from the Indo-Pacific that makes an excellent marine aquarium species when it comes to both biotope-specific set-ups and biological control of aiptasia. Reaching a maximum size of 12 cm, the seagrass filefish is considered relatively hardy, behaviorally interesting and reef compatible.

The seagrass filefish—which is also sometimes commonly referred to as the aiptasia-eating filefish, the bristle-tail filefish, the bristle-tailed leatherjacket, and the matted leatherjacket—is indigenous to the Indo-West Pacific, where it is relatively common from East Africa to Fiji. It has been reported as far north as the Ryukyu Islands and all the way south to New South Wales. In the wild, it is often observed in seagrass beds, although it also inhabits tropical reefs to a depth of 15 meters.

Aiptasia-Eating Filefish

While not frequently seen in the marine aquarium hobby in North America until recently, the seagrass filefish is becoming more popular due to its aiptasia-eating prowess. “This fish is one of the best when it comes to the never-ending battle against aiptasia,” says Los Angeles-based Blue Zoo Aquatics Director of Marine Ornamental Research Mark Martin. “Not only does it love to eat aiptasia, but it is also generally considered reef compatible.” Martin also points out that it is much hardier than some of the other fishes commonly employed for aiptasia control.



Ridding an Aquarium of Pest Anemones from the Genus Aiptasia

Glass anemones from the genus Aiptasia frequently enter the tropical marine aquarist’s tank as unwanted hitchhikers on live rock. Once established, these pest anemones can quickly infest an entire tank, and they are then difficult to eradicate without the help of an animal that will eat them. Animals commonly used in the fight against glass anemone infestations include peppermint shrimp and various species of butterflyfishes.



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“The problem with many animals that are known to target and eat aiptasia is the fact that these animals will sometimes ignore the aiptasia in favor of a captive diet or are difficult to wean onto a captive diet once the aiptasia is gone,” says Martin. “Further, it is difficult to find an aiptasia-eating animal that is considered reef compatible.”

Reef Compatible with Caution

A reef compatible animal is an animal that can be added to an aquarium housing ornamental reef invertebrates like coral without the fear that the new animal will harass, eat or kill the ornamental invertebrates. Many animals that will target glass anemones will also nip at various coral polyps, clam mantles and even large ornamental anemones. “The beauty of this fish,” says Martin, “is that it rarely harasses ornamental invertebrates,” says Martin, who frequently advises reef aquarists to acquire the seagrass filefish as a means of combating an aiptasia outbreak.

Individual seagrass filefish have been reported to nip at some coral species, especially those from the generea Duncanopsammia, Dendronephthya and Heliofungia. They have also been reported to nip at clam mantles. “While they cause no problem in a reef tank 95 percent of the time,” says Martin, “this species should be considered reef compatible with caution.”

Seagrass Filefish Aquarium

While the seagrass filefish is a great animal to employ for biological control of glass anemones in a reef tank, it is also an interesting and beautiful animal ideal for an aquarium replicating a seagrass biotope. Regardless of whether the seagrass filefish is added to a reef tank, a fish-only system or a seagrass biotope tank, the tank should be no less than 40 gallons, and it should only house peaceful community fishes. Once established, the seagrass filefish should readily accept a captive diet.

Read more at Suite101: Seagrass Filefish in a Tropical Marine Aquarium: A Reef Compatible, Aiptasia-Eating Saltwater Aquarium Filefish http://fishinsects.suite101.com/article.cfm/seagrass-filefish-in-a-tropical-marine-aquarium#ixzz0gtnqWZ49