Tassled Filefish, sel., comp.   8/20/06
Thanks for the great service you provide.  You have helped me and countless others.
<And greatly enjoyed most moments...>
I have a compatibility question.  I lost a beloved lionfish a few months ago who was the star of the tank.  I would like to add a fish with similar star quality but want to avoid the feeding issues I experienced with the lionfish.  (The lionfish would begrudgingly eat frozen silversides and krill but I had to separate the other fish to give the lionfish enough peace to eat.)
<Yes... a common scenario>
I'm considering adding a Tassled Filefish to the tank.
<Neat animals... but do get large... need a few hundred gallons to "get around" even though not fast moving...>
The Tassled Filefish is definitely an incredible looking fish and from what I've read had a good temperament and is likely to accept frozen foods well.  My tank is a
250g fish only tank.
<Mmm, a good candidate thus far>
The current residents are a dogface puffer, porcupine puffer, Falco's Hawkfish, Sailfin tang, striped squirrelfish, a male and female bird wrasse, and a male and female blue-jaw trigger. My water quality is consistently good, with ph at 8.3, nitrates between 10 and 30, and KH between 10-12.  I do a weekly 40g water change and get a cup of skimmate every few days.  I feed the fish frozen silversides and krill soaked in Selcon and garlic once daily.  I also give the Sailfin tang Spirulina and Formula One Marine Pellets a couple times a day, which the wrasses and triggers also eat.  Most of the fish are pre-adult though the male bird wrasse and Sailfin tang are adult size.
Do you think the Tassled Filefish would be a compatible addition to the tank?  
<It itself should be... there may be a bit of jousting, tussling at first with the tank and maybe some others...>
Would it be able to compete effectively for food?
<I do think so... if "given enough chance" to settle in>
  Would it be harassed when introduced?
<Is a possibility>
After introduction?
<Much less a probability... this species, Files/Monacanthids in general are "left well alone"... hard-bodied, perhaps not recognized as fishes/competitors... I give you good odds here>
I have plenty of rock in the tank, but many of the caves and crevices are frequented already by the current residents.  Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.  Mike
<Welcome. Bob Fenner, who would start with a "mid-sized" specimen... maybe 4-5 inches overall length.>

Filefish sick, Clowns vs. polyps  9/2/05
Hi guys
I am so happy that I have you to ask some questions.
<Okay, how do I get a date with Heather Locklear? Oh, you want to ask...>
There is so much to know in this hobby.
<Perhaps infinite... in terms of human lifetime>
Anyways, I have two questions. I have a saltwater tank with 5 blue Chromis, a pair of percula clowns and a dragonet. The largest fish, about 2 inch diameter, is my Tassled filefish "Harry".
<Good name>
Harry has been fine for one year in this setup. In the last week or two he has slowed down in his activities. Today is the first day he will not eat. All the other fish are and I can not tell anything wrong with them. As I thought back, I did realize that I had to tempt the filefish a little longer to come and eat. He always did though, he always has been a very eager consumer. About one year ago I had three Banggai Cardinals in this setup, that all died from an internal parasite. They all stopped eating, had the telltale white feces and died.
Since my filefish has always sifted sand through his mouth to catch little treats, is it possible that he may have ingested this parasite?
<Mmm, not likely>
I heard the only way a fish can get this internal parasite is by ingesting it. Could it be that that parasite is still in the sand and active after one year?
<Again, probably something else at work here... Cumulative nutritional deficiency, perhaps bullying by the damsels...>
My other question is this: I have another small saltwater tank with only one pair of tomatoe clownfish.
A couple of days ago I introduced a seamat and a yellow polyp rock into the system. Since then the clownfish have attacked both coral rocks, attempting to move them. Is this normal behavior? And is there anything I can do to discourage it?
<Remove the rocks, polyps... something about them the fish don't like>
Again, thank you so much for being here for us.
I am eagerly awaiting your answers. You guys are the best!
<For the filefish, a change of tanks? Addition of a refugium (and quick), trial of other (live) foods... If you suspect internal parasites, the use of Metronidazole/Flagyl (see here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/metranidazole.htm
and the linked files above). Bob Fenner>

Tassel filefish
Hi Bob,
I guess I am having a tough time deciding the next fish to add to my 75-gallon FOWLR tank. I have written you to ask about the various species of fish and you have been always most helpful. Anyway, I am wondering about the tassel filefish. Can you tell me more about the fish? How big does it get? Is it a relatively peaceful fish? Will it get along with the various snails, crabs and shrimps I have in the tank?
Thank you in advance.
Boon
>>
Hmm, well, the Tasseled Filefish, Chaetoderma pencilligera, is one of the hardier members of its family (Monacanthidae) for aquarium use... but not safe to keep with invertebrates by and large (will eat the ones you list is short order)... Gets about a foot long... Needs to be fed frequently (a few to several times a day)... I'd keep looking.
Bob Fenner, who will post a few pix of this animal on the site: Home Page 

Prickly Leatherjacket
Hi Bob. I did take your advice and Jason Kim's on the Remora Pro skimmer. I ordered it and I think it will live up to expectations. Thanks.
<Ah, you're welcome>
Many years ago when I first go into the salt hobby I saw a Prickly Leatherjacket- Chaetodermis pencilligera. I fell in love with this fish because of its "oddity" if you will. I can find little on it. Even your site only mentions it in passing. What say you?
<Don't know much about this occasionally imported Filefish... but as far as the monacanthids go it's quite hardy... generally will accept all foods, and does okay in a peaceful setting...>
Is it a good 55ga. F.O. tank member? Does it grow to its full 10-12inch size in captivity? 
<Not likely... maybe 3/4's this...>
Is the 55 too small? Feeding?
<Yes... ultimately. And see above>
My other love is the Sailfin Tang. Zebrasoma desjardinii. (Either a Prickly or Sailfin. Not both at once) Is a 55 too small? 
<Yes, also for the same reasons>
I have always kept small to medium sized fish in my previous salt tanks. I have never gone into the 6-inch and up range and I do not want to keep either one of these two if it is not to their benefit (relatively speaking). any and all info is as always, most appreciated.
Zimmy
<In this case, I would seek out smaller average maximum captive size species... and save up for a larger system... Maybe apply for a job at a Public Aquarium... go diving... Bob Fenner>

Tassled Filefish Diet Suggestions
Hi Bob,
I am a somewhat experienced marine hobbyist and was wondering if you might have some creative ideas for feeding my large Tassled filefish. He appears to be a very avid eater, but seems only to swallow brine shrimp (which does not fill him up easily) and live ghost shrimp (which I often have a hard time finding locally).
He shows no interest in other prepared frozen foods (1Trigger Food, Formula One, etc), flake food or pelleted food. He seemed interested in squid until I chopped it up small enough for him to eat; he eats it then spits it back out.
Any assistance is greatly appreciated. I like to see my fish nice and fat, but he's starting to get a bit on the thin side.
Thanks so much,
-Stacie
<Our slight coverage: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/filefish.htm
and Fishbase.org doesn't provide much: http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=7975
in the way of clues... other than habitat... Would try fresh live rock (in hopes of discovering a favored food type)... and what you've been doing... along with soaking same in a vitamin prep. (stimulates appetite). Of monacanthids, this species does pretty well in captivity... many specimens I've had contact with eventually take most all meaty foodstuffs. Bob Fenner>

Tasseled filefish and Sallys...
Dear WWM:
       Are Tasseled Filefish considered reef safe? I know they will eat shrimp, but will they also eat crabs, snails, and corals? <They may eat any type of crustacean, so be aware> Also, how reef safe are Sally Lightfoot Crabs, and can you only keep one per tank? <When they get larger, Sallys can grab small fish. BTW, tasseled filefish get a little over a foot long... -Kevin>
Thanks
Bob Najedek, Great Site!

Tasseled Filefish
Hi,
Could a tasseled filefish be kept with invertebrates bigger than its self, i.e cleaner shrimps, tubeworms, mushrooms etc?<filefish are close relatives to
triggerfish and if the opportunity presented itself it would probably tear limbs from the shrimp (or even eat them), better not to mix filefish with shrimp, tubeworms, etc, IanB>
Regards Aaron.

Shake Your Tassels!
>Hi, is the Tassled filefish reef safe?
>>Essentially, no.
I think they are  really cool.
>>I do, too!  I love filefish, actually.
>I have a 75 gallon reef aquarium with all different kinds of corals. Will it eat hermits, snails, or my banded coral shrimp? Thanks, Adam
>>You can probably count on it eating these animals.  Marina

Tassel Filefish
I have a Tassel File which has been healthy and with me for about 1 1/2 years. It is about 8 inches from nose to tail, hand fed a variety of foods in an aggressive tank. He has done very well up until the past three days. I noticed what seemed to be some broken blood vessels, or bleeding under his skin, and a swollen mouth which is getting progressively worse.
<Good observation, description>
He is interested in eating, but can't. I was able to place one small piece of squid in his mouth yesterday which he ate, but today nothing. Again, he shows interest but can't or won't eat.
Any suggestions?
Wendy
<Yes... check your water quality... execute a large water change in any event, lower your water temperature if it's in the high seventies F.... and add a vitamin/appetite stimulant to the water (e.g. Selcon)... Hopefully your fish will rally, heal on its own. Bob Fenner>