Acreichthys tomentosus question. Toxins, human consumption       2/18/14
Hello,
I would like to know if the Bristletail Filefish, or the Seagrass Filefish possesses toxins in the flesh or organs.
<Minimally; yes>
 Currently I have a Seagrass Filefish in a Biocube 29, and looking at FishBase I found that Acreichthys tomentosus becomes 12.0cm long!
<Yes; have seen them larger even than this in the wild>
So I decided that if the fish becomes too large or aggressive for the tank, I will eat it. A dish called 'gwipo' or seasoned filefish tastes good with a beer, and because I fed the filefish a varied diet of krill, Spectrum Thera + A/Garlic, frozen Spirulina brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, and algae flakes I am guessing this will be an exquisite flavour-savour.
<Worth trying>
I know filefish are in the same family as pufferfish,
<Mmm; no. Separate families... Monacanthidae are the Files... Same Order: Tetraodontiformes>
 but I also know there probably isn't any toxic shellfish in my reef. Does this fish produce any toxins by itself?
<Not a problem... if cooked will be fine>
 Before I eat it, I would like to know if filefish are capable of being fixated on just one food, and methods of preventing it, because it is gradually only accepting frozen Spirulina brine shrimp, and not any of the other foods that it ate since day one.
Thank you,
Phil
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>

File Fish     4/7/13
Hi Bob, My dealer tells me that the Filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus) eats Aiptasia.  Did you ever hear of this?
<Oh yes... and gone over on WWM... a popular choice 6-8-10 years back... Turns out though that it has a hard time stopping at just this pest anemone polyps! D'oh! BobF>
Cheers,

Acreichthys tomentosus question, comp. w/ Banggais 12/2/10
Dear crew,
<Zach>
Thank you for the service that you provide. My boys and I enjoy your website daily.
<Ahh, welcome!>
I have been able to raise 12 Banggai Cardinalfish babies to 1" size.
<Nice>
I am currently housing them in a 75 gallon tank until I can sort out who may be interested in pairing up. The aquarium has an assortment of macroalgae, live rock, and some mangroves. I was wondering if it would be safe to house a pair of 2.5" and 4" Bristletail Filefish, Acreichthys tomentosus, and a 4" Copperband Butterfly in the same aquarium or if the babies would be in danger.
Thanks for any help you can provide,
Zach
<Mmm, well, this File species has fallen out of "darling" status as a pest anemone control... I have seen it chasing other fishes in the wild... I'd go w/ the Chelmon but leave out the Acreichthys myself. Bob Fenner>
Re: Acreichthys tomentosus question 12/2/10
Thanks for the quick response. Would larger peaceful fish such as Dispar Anthias or McCosker's Flasher Wrasse be better tankmates for the Bristletail Filefishes or would they incur some chasing from them also?
<Mmm, for wanting to principally raise and not disturb the Banggais, I'd go w/ something/s more placid.>
Would the Bristletails cause too much stress for the Copperband?
<Maybe>
We want to do all we can to provide a low-stress home for the Copperband to aid in it's survival.
Thanks again,
Zach
<Welcome. B>

Acreichthys tomentosus Green File Fish, Aiptasia contr., comp.  2/1/2010
Bob,
<Chris>
Yesterday I just purchased two Green File Fish to control my Aiptasia outbreak. I have them in a 250 gallon tank. Will Green File Fish bother a Carpet Anemone?
<Might. If it's occupied by Amphiprionines however, this is very unlikely>
I have very little coral in my tank and most of it is leathers or soft kinds of brains. I have some hermit crabs and a bunch of cool fish. Look forward to your response.
Christopher
<You have it. BobF>
Re: Acreichthys tomentosus Green File Fish 2/1/2010
Thank you for the reply. So in my aquarium the Green File Fish should be pretty much harmless?
<Mmm, no... As stated prev... only experience will/can tell here. B>
I cant wait to all my Aiptasia is gone!!!!!

Atlantic Green Filefish gone bad I recently added an Atlantic Green Filefish to my 120 gallon reef tank to help control Aiptasia.  Inside of 2 weeks, the Aiptasia were all gone, which was great.  But...now I think he's decided to feed on my Button Polyps and I've seen him harassing my Green Bubble.    I think I need to get him out or find something else for him to eat.  He's very skittish and only makes an appearance as the lights go down at night, so I know he'll be very hard to catch with a net. Any suggestions?      <Mmm, the fish I believe you're referring to, Acreichthys tomentosus is not found in the Atlantic (It's Indo-Pacific in range). Please see here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/filefish.htm This fish will eat other stinging-celled animals other than Glass Anemones. I would remove it. Bob Fenner>

In FAMA, Jan. 2000, the reef notes section notes that the Matted Leatherjacket (Acreichthys tomentosus) may be an effective weapon in the never ending battle with Aiptasia. Will the availability increase? I'm definitely going to give my local aquarium shop a call. Will FAMA keep us abreast of further findings? What is there compatibility with hermit crabs, corals and other home, reef dwelling creatures? Thanks, Ce. >> Yes, know of this animal... as a bonus and my part in the "where is this fish, and what is its practical aquarium biology" search, please find attached a JPEG of my best/fave image of the species...  Let's see, to four inches maximum... inhabits seagrass beds and shallow protected lagoons (one reason why its probably not collected... collectors by and large don't "shop there")... this image amongst Thalassia hemprichii... The Bristle Tail Files diet? Unknown. Compatibility? Unknown. Does it really eat Aiptasia like no tomorrow? I don't know... Availability? I suspect this is a very common species... have seen it used for bait (!) in Fiji... and occasionally imported... the reason I'm providing the image: it's a mystery hunt! I suspect that this monacanthid is not all that it appears to be... it probably does take adventitious bites at soft bodied animals other than Glass Anemones... and probably is not all that hardy in captivity... but we have to give it a try... keep looking and asking for it. I am going to cc my friends who collect in its range (Indo-west Pacific, East Africa to Fiji, north to Japan, south to Australia... to try and stir up a little excitement.

In FAMA, Jan. 2000, the reef notes section notes that the Matted Leatherjacket (Acreichthys tomentosus) may be an effective weapon in the never ending battle with Aiptasia. Will the availability increase? I'm definitely going to give my local aquarium shop a call. Will FAMA keep us abreast of further findings? What is there compatibility with hermit crabs, corals and other home, reef dwelling creatures? Thanks, Ce. < Yes, know of this animal... as a bonus and my part in the "where is this fish, and what is its practical aquarium biology" search, please find attached a JPEG of my best/fave image of the species...  Let's see, to four inches maximum... inhabits seagrass beds and shallow protected lagoons (one reason why its probably not collected... collectors by and large don't "shop there")... this image amongst Thalassia hemprichii... The Bristle Tail Files diet? Unknown. Compatibility? Unknown. Does it really eat Aiptasia like no tomorrow? I don't know... Availability? I suspect this is a very common species... have seen it used for bait (!) in Fiji... and occasionally imported... the reason I'm providing the image: it's a mystery hunt! I suspect that this monacanthid is not all that it appears to be... it probably does take adventitious bites at soft bodied animals other than Glass Anemones... and probably is not all that hardy in captivity... but we have to give it a try... keep looking and asking for it. I am going to cc my friends who collect in its range (Indo-west Pacific, East Africa to Fiji, north to Japan, south to Australia... to try and stir up a little excitement. Bob Fenner>

bubble Aiptasia Hi Bob, I think everybody in the club has enjoyed reading your article "Aiptasia, My Least Favorite Anemones in Captive Systems" which we just published in the January edition of our newsletter. Rod took you by Aquarium Concepts in Hayward to see owner Ken McGrath's store and large reef tank. Since I was in the store the other day buying Mithrax crabs, Ken mentioned to me that your article didn't mention the annoying bubble Aiptasia. Since he has been 'harvesting' it in his 750 gallon show tank, he wished he could find out a little more about the pests. BTW, SEABay is running the article on Ken's tank in our website: http://www.seabay.org/domains/seabay/featured_tank.html Ken says that he can't find a way to eradicate the pest and has looked in all of his reference books including both volumes of Julian's'. I thought I bring this pest up to you to see if you might pass along some encouraging words of wisdom :) Later, Bill < There may well be some relief in this quarter on the way... some other really go-get-em predators of these pests... a beautiful green filefish for one... Just no real supply as yet. Bob Fenner>