Filefish — Can They Handle High Flow?

nickkohrn · Apr 19, 2019

I understand that filefish come from areas where sea grass and soft corals are, and it seems that those areas are likely provided nutrition by less intense currents. So, I’m wondering if you have successfully kept filefish in an SPS system.

I love the way that filefish swim, and I like that some are k own to eat aiptasia. However, I don’t want to add one to a high-flow system only to have it struggle and/or perish.

Peace River · Apr 19, 2019

nickkohrn said:
I understand that filefish come from areas where sea grass and soft corals are, and it seems that those areas are likely provided nutrition by less intense currents. So, I’m wondering if you have successfully kept filefish in an SPS system.

I love the way that filefish swim, and I like that some are k own to eat aiptasia. However, I don’t want to add one to a high-flow system only to have it struggle and/or perish.

There was a similar discussion thread from 2016 that you might find helpful. Good luck!

BadFish619 · Apr 20, 2019

They certainly don't look like they can do they?! They are in the trigger family so probably tougher than they look. I would think if you had some lower flow areas in the aquascape for him to rest he'd be just fine.

JumboShrimp · Apr 20, 2019

I have three, in a 6’ tank with pretty strong flow. They love to hang out (rather motionless) by rocks, pieces of equipment, etc., so I’ve seen them power-through the flow to get to where they want to be, and then just chill in an area of lesser flow. I hope this observation helps you.

DaveNJ · Apr 20, 2019

I asked a question in another thread about compatibility of fishes for my next build. I have a 40b bare bottom, with mostly SPS and LPS, that is 4 years old and I am up grading to 75g. I asked are these fish compatible and which order to put them in the tank....firefish, mcCosker flasher wrasse, midas blenny and fairy wrasse. Never crossed my mind that the firefish may not be able to take the fast water movement

Peace River · Apr 20, 2019

DaveNJ said:
I asked a question in another thread about compatibility of fishes for my next build. I have a 40b bare bottom, with mostly SPS and LPS, that is 4 years old and I am up grading to 75g. I asked are these fish compatible and which order to put them in the tank....firefish, mcCosker flasher wrasse, midas blenny and fairy wrasse. Never crossed my mind that the firefish may not be able to take the fast water movement

@DaveNJ - to be clear the question was about file fish, not firefish. As a rule, the filefish is going to be far more mobile and is better designed to handle current. The only place that I have ever caught file fish is in the grass flats and you know that you have something different when it shows up in your net - it is definitely a unique fish.