Purple Tilefish

[Joanebg]

Has anyone had long term success with the gorgeous creatures? If so, length of time, food, type and size of tank, etc.?

 

[eatbreakfast]

I have had one for 4+ years. It is about 5" in length. It was in a 150g, but I had to downsize and it is currently in a 60g. He has never been a picky eater, he would figure out the timing of the feedings on the auto feeder and go up to it a few moments before it would feed.

Tilefish are very jumpy and need a tight fitting lid. They also often have decompression issues the first week or so after being collected. Past the first 2 weeks they are very hardy.

 

[Joanebg]

Thank you. My lfs said they needed a minimum 125 gal. because they are such active swimmers.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Thank you. My lfs said they needed a minimum 125 gal. because they are such active swimmers.

Even though they are not that closely related they behave a lot like dartfish, capable of quick movement, but usually hovering in place.

 

[Ben jammin]

My LFS has had one in for several weeks that is gorgeous and eating well. I've held off cause I've heard they a re very timid . Will they do okay in a tank with lots of aggressive eaters - tangs, angels, etc?

 

[Triggreef]

I'm interested in these as well. I've seen a ton of failures, and this is actually the first success story I've read. I really like these guys. They seem to have a hard time fighting off ich as everyone I've ever seen has been covered. If you don't quarantine everything, I'd shy away. I do quarantine everything, and still shy away. I may give a try after reading this though.

 

[lou dog420]

I know this is an old thread, but anyway, I have had a purple tilefish in my reef now for about a month and a half. Very interesting and beautiful fish. For some reason I never see this fish eating, but he has to be eating something right?? Also he jumped out of the tank one night, luckily I was in the room and heard it happen and got him back in the tank. I would really feel better if I could see this fish eating. I think he may just be eating pods.

 

[lou dog420]

 

[eatbreakfast]

He looks pretty skinny. What foods are you offering?

 

[lou dog420]

He looks pretty skinny. What foods are you offering?

Mysis, krill, mega marine, pretty much everything.

 

[eatbreakfast]

What other fish is he in the tank with? Bold, peaceful planktivores, such as fairy wrasses, anthias, and dartfish can help train a picky eater, whereas more boisterous fish, such as tangs, can encourage hunger strikes.

 

[JaimeAdams]

Tilefish are awesome. We sell them at the store that I work. There are certainly certain individuals that are more personable than others. I have not had issues getting them to eat. I just feed LRS fish frenzy/reef frenzy. I have had some individuals beg for food like my porcupine puffer at home does.

 

[lou dog420]

What other fish is he in the tank with? Bold, peaceful planktivores, such as fairy wrasses, anthias, and dartfish can help train a picky eater, whereas more boisterous fish, such as tangs, can encourage hunger strikes.

Other tankmates are,
Yellow tang
Magnificent foxface
Copperband butterfly
3 lyrtail anthias
2 clowns
Magenta dottyback
Blue sapphire damsel

 

[lou dog420]

Tilefish are awesome. We sell them at the store that I work. There are certainly certain individuals that are more personable than others. I have not had issues getting them to eat. I just feed LRS fish frenzy/reef frenzy. I have had some individuals beg for food like my porcupine puffer at home does.

Definitely a very interesting fish.

 

[JaaxReef]

It isn’t the exact same species, but I’ve had a Yellow Tilefish for about 3 months now and I love it! Beautiful and seems to eat just about everything and a ton of it including Mysis, Krill, LRS Nano, New Life Spectrum pellets. Very aggressive eater.

He is peaceful for the most part, but had taken a jab at my tiger conch a couple times. It stopped after a few weeks of regular feedings and I haven’t lost any inverts yet.

It was pretty timid at first, but is now the most confident and curious fish in my tank. Swims everywhere! I heard splashing in the tank at night (trying to jump) a couple times in the first week. Never happened since. He retreats to his cave when frightened now that he is established instead of trying to jump out.

 

[JaaxReef]

Other tankmates are,
Yellow tang
Magnificent foxface
Copperband butterfly
3 lyrtail anthias
2 clowns
Magenta dottyback
Blue sapphire damsel

I could see the dottyback as a potential feeding deterrent depending on your tank size... similar body shape and can get quite aggressive and territorial.

 

[JaaxReef]

Here’s my little guy!

 

[lou dog420]

I could see the dottyback as a potential feeding deterrent depending on your tank size... similar body shape and can get quite aggressive and territorial.

None of the other fish really pay any attention to the tilefish. I think because it is shaped so differently. The dottyback has its hands full with the damsel, they are sworn mortal enemies. .they will beat the crap out of each other, and then chill out for a few months while they heal up, then its game on again!!

 

[JaaxReef]

None of the other fish really pay any attention to the tilefish. I think because it is shaped so differently. The dottyback has its hands full with the damsel, they are sworn mortal enemies. .they will beat the crap out of each other, and then chill out for a few months while they heal up, then its game on again!!

Well that rules that out.... ha! Have you tried any live foods just to get him excited about food?

Does he seem active and healthy? Any signs of internal bacterial infection or internal parasites (stringy or white poop)?

 

[lou dog420]

Well I am very sad to report that he didn't make it, I found him dead this morning.