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? Thanx, 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

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? Thanx,
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>