matted file fish experience

panman · Oct 24, 2016

Purchased a matted file fish 4 days ago to help control aiptasia. He eats mysis shrimp, nori and flakes but has so far shown no interest in aiptasia or other corals as some have experienced. I have read that it can take them several weeks to get an appetite for aiptasia. What are most peoples experiences. Even if it does not eat aipatsia it is still a cool fish. I would have done berghia again, but have tried it before and they work, but eventually die off and aiptasia eventually come back.

bvysochin · Oct 24, 2016

I enjoy mine even if they don't eat aiptasia. Very interesting fish to watch. But eventually they will especially if you skip a few fish feedings. But be careful and keep an eye on your zoas if you have any expensive ones they know and eat those first. Lol

pirate2876 · Oct 24, 2016

Mine took a while to get them but, he finally did. Unfortunately, soon afterward he got a taste for zoa/palys, clams, and acan.

panman · Oct 24, 2016

Well when he clears the aiptasia and if he starts nipping desirable corals he will be available to the next reefer who needs him.

tofucube · Oct 24, 2016

panman said:

Please update when you get it to kill the aiptasia. Debating to whether or not to get one myself for a few that's popping up on my rocks since the mystery wrasse killed all the peppermint shrimps I had in the tank.

BeanMachine · Oct 24, 2016

Ive used one in the past. It worked well. Give it time. They are somewhat easy to catch as well. Not in a really big tank though. Just watch your corals like you said.

panman · Nov 3, 2016

Update. File fish doing great, eating nori, flakes, pellets and mysis shrimp. However absolutely no interest in aiptasia. Looks like I will have to get some berghia.

panman · Dec 18, 2016

Just to update. File fish still doing well, but has no interest in aptasia, looking for berghia

Neverlost · Dec 18, 2016

I would reconsider and maybe just see if you can trade your filefish in for a different one. It appears to be a taste thing and some of the filefish just dont have a taste for Aptasia.

The reason that I suggest this is that I recently tried Berghia nudis, spent a good bit on them, and it has been about a month, and I have only seen one of them, once, at night. After that, no sign. Furthermore, my aptasia population has continued to thrive.

For my money, risking it on a $30 fish is a far better idea than plopping down $150+ to get 10 nudibranchs and have them do nothing or disappear.

If you are looking for some though, the gentleman that I bought mine from was super easy to work with and the stock seemed quite healthy on arrival, so PM me if you want his info.

haiguys · Dec 18, 2016

One other thing to consider with file fish is their appetite for coral. Although it's known that they may go for zoas, I had one that annihilated all of my acans in one night.

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matted file fish experience

panman

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bvysochin

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pirate2876

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panman

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tofucube

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BeanMachine

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panman

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panman

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Neverlost

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haiguys

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