Beware of Bristle Tailed Filefish

[james983]

I have a pair of BT Filefish in my tank for years. They along with my Burgess Butterfly have kept Aptasia under control. By under control I'm saying I don't have a one. Anyway, I have noticed for several months that even though I have been adding snails occasionally, I never really see them. I have noticed what seems like more empty snail shells. Now, I have a few wrasses and believed that they occasionally knock off a snail here and there.

Today, I decided to add some large Nasarius snails to fortify my CUC. I was tempted to shut the lights before putting them in, but these guys are large and as such I thought would not be bothered by my wrasses. I also decided to give a nice heavy feeding to distract all my fish so the snails could bury themselves and get comfy. All was going well until one of my files noticed my new snails. He immediately started picking at one. So I threw in some more food, which all my other fish appreciated. But that filefish wouldn't give up. So now my tank is dark and I'm hopeful that tomorrow things improve. If not I will take out the snails and return them. The filefish are too valuable to take out and the snails are much easier to catch.

I also want to add, I feed my fish at least 2x a day so hunger is definitely not an issue.

I deceded to post this because I never read or heard anything about these fish hunting snails. Just throwing it there for you all. Happy Reefing.

 

[rayn]

While these guys are good at aptasia, you have found out they seem to be pickers as well. I tried one years ago for the same reason, aptasia. It did a tremendous job until they were gone. I housed a Inimicus in the tank, being a bottom dweller scorpion it has tassel and stuff sticking up. I caught the filefish picking at the tassels. Almost to the point of killing the fish.

 

[4FordFamily]

I mean these guys aren't reef safe. It's always a gamble just like with butterfly. IMO the aiptasia control makes filefish worth the risk. I've had several that cleared my tank of these and mojano anemones

 

[james983]

I'm not saying I wouldn't use them. I just posted this so others are aware. Since I posted this a few days ago all seems fine. I see my snails occasionally at feeding time and the filefish are not harassing them any longer. I do believe the files are opportunistic hunters and will take them out especially if they get hungry.