Description

Aiptasia-Eating Filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus)

Keep your reef tank free from unwanted pest anemones with the Aiptasia-Eating Filefish, a natural and effective biological control for Aiptasia and Majano infestations. Hardy, curious, and surprisingly peaceful, this reef-safe fish has become one of the most popular and environmentally friendly solutions for maintaining healthy marine aquariums.

🌊 Overview
Also known as the Bristletail Filefish or Matted Leatherjacket, Acreichthys tomentosus originates from the shallow reefs and lagoons of the Indo-Pacific. In the wild, it grazes on small anemones, polyps, and crustaceans. In the aquarium, it’s best known for its ability to naturally control Aiptasia, a common nuisance anemone that can quickly overrun reef systems.

Their subtle green and tan mottled coloration allows them to camouflage beautifully against rockwork and coral, making them both interesting and visually unique residents of the reef.

✨ Key Features & Benefits:

• ✔️ Natural Aiptasia Control – Proven biological method to remove pest anemones from reef tanks.

• ✔️ Reef-Safe with Caution – Usually ignores corals once Aiptasia is gone, though individual behaviour can vary.

• ✔️ Peaceful & Hardy – Suitable for most community marine tanks.

• ✔️ Interesting Behaviour – Moves gracefully through rockwork and uses camouflage to blend in.

• ✔️ Eco-Friendly Pest Control – Reduces the need for chemical or manual Aiptasia treatments.

🐠 Behaviour & Compatibility
The Aiptasia-Eating Filefish is generally peaceful and adapts well to community aquariums. It may occasionally posture toward similar-shaped fish but rarely causes harm. Once settled, it’s an active but slow-moving species that spends most of its time grazing along live rock, investigating every crevice for food.

Best tankmates include:

• Clownfish, gobies, and blennies

• Wrasses and tangs

• Cardinalfish and chromis

• Cleaner shrimp, snails, and other small invertebrates

Avoid keeping them with very aggressive species or predatory fish that might intimidate them.

🌿 Tank Requirements:

• Minimum Tank Size: 120 L (larger preferred for pairs or heavily stocked systems)

• Temperature: 24 – 27 °C

• pH: 8.0 – 8.4

• Salinity: 1.023 – 1.025

• Aquascape: Plenty of live rock for grazing and hiding

Provide an established tank with ample live rock, as this filefish relies heavily on natural foraging during the acclimation phase.

🍽️ Feeding
In addition to consuming Aiptasia, the Aiptasia-Eating Filefish should be provided with a varied diet that includes:

• Frozen mysis and brine shrimp

• Marine pellets and flakes

• Chopped seafood

• Enriched frozen blends (such as Marine Mix or Reef Feast)

Feed small amounts 1–2 times daily. Once the Aiptasia population is under control, ensure regular feeding to prevent them from picking at coral polyps due to hunger.

💧 Care Notes
These filefish are excellent biological control agents for Aiptasia outbreaks, often clearing infestations within weeks. However, individual behaviour can vary — some may show interest in soft corals or zoanthids once pest anemones are depleted. Feeding well and maintaining a balanced environment typically minimizes this behaviour.

Filefish have a unique beak-like mouth adapted for precision feeding, allowing them to pluck Aiptasia directly from rock surfaces. Their ability to navigate tight spaces makes them exceptionally effective at reaching anemones that chemical treatments might miss.

⚠️ Important Tips:

• Acclimate slowly to avoid stress.

• Once Aiptasia is gone, keep them well-fed to discourage coral nipping.

• Best introduced into tanks with visible Aiptasia infestations for immediate grazing.

✨ Why Choose the Aiptasia-Eating Filefish?

• Natural, chemical-free pest control for marine aquariums.

• Hardy and adaptable once settled.

• Peaceful and suitable for most reef setups.

• Provides long-term prevention against future Aiptasia outbreaks.

🐟 Summary
The Aiptasia-Eating Filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus) is one of the most practical and effective biological solutions for pest control in marine aquariums. Intelligent, hardy, and fascinating to watch, it offers both function and charm — helping you maintain a cleaner, healthier reef without resorting to harsh chemicals or invasive removal methods.

Disclaimer: Fish photos are NOT of our own stock. Colours may appear different in other aquariums due to variations in lighting conditions. We do not edit or enhance our photos, but colours may also be influenced by your screen settings, such as brightness and contrast.