Orange Spotted Filefish. Anyone own one?

btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
I absolutely love the look of these fish, but what I read about them isn't so great, so I'm looking for some answers from someone who actually owns/owned one.
How big did yours get?
How long did you own it?
What did you feed?
I know in the wild they feed almost exclusively on acropora polyps, but can,be trained to accept other foods, how long did it take for you to convert yours?
Was it in a FOWLR or reef?
Peaceful or aggressive?
Did it swim open in the water or weave in and out of rockwork?
My LFS has had a beautiful pair since before Christmas. They're eating meaty foods and look very healthy. Should I buy them or not take the risk? They'd be going in w/ a Yasha Goby and a Tail Spot Blenny. It's a reef, but only has softies, LPS and a clam.
If you think I should make the purchase, can I get just one or do they need to be paired?
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
I think she's about 4" (3-1/2 to 4")
Got her Sept 20th.
I feed:
  • Shaved fish flesh.
  • Rinsed Rod's Food.
  • Hikari mysis.
  • PE mysis.
    Frozen Brine Shrimp.
    Flake Food
    Fish eggs
I'll have to go look at my notes for how long it took to convert... I'll get back to ya on that.
They do eat some polyps for it is found in their bellies, but some are now believing they are not exclusively eating the polyps themselves.
Swims out in the open, but is shy until it knows your name "Food God".
Very peaceful.
Currently in a FOWLR... won't be forever.
Yes you can get one. But I will eventually get a male for mine.
If they are fat and eating meaty foods.... you tank sounds fine.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3220625
I think she's about 4" (3-1/2 to 4")
Got her Sept 20th.
I feed:
  • Shaved fish flesh.
  • Rinsed Rod's Food.
  • Hikari mysis.
  • PE mysis.
    Frozen Brine Shrimp.
    Flake Food
    Fish eggs
I'll have to go look at my notes for how long it took to convert... I'll get back to ya on that.
They do eat some polyps for it is found in their bellies, but some are now believing they are not exclusively eating the polyps themselves.
Swims out in the open, but is shy until it knows your name "Food God".
Very peaceful.
Currently in a FOWLR... won't be forever.
Yes you can get one. But I will eventually get a male for mine.
If they are fat and eating meaty foods.... you tank sounds fine.
Thanks! I thought you had bought one not too long ago.
"Food God" LOL. I know exactly what you mean! Sometimes I feel like my fish are stalking me.
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
But I'm not certain about the clam. Can't remember reading anything and I have no first hand experience with the two.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3220631
But I'm not certain about the clam. Can't remember reading anything and I have no first hand experience with the two.
I'll have to move the clam eventually, so that's not too big of a deal. I love these fish. I may get the pair ($30 for both) and put them in the refugium when it's done since it will be a displayed refugium.
 
runn3rb3an

runn3rb3an

Active Member
dont tell m e these are the ones from the guy in deer park! i wanted those!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Originally Posted by runn3rb3an
http:///forum/post/3220956
dont tell m e these are the ones from the guy in deer park! i wanted those!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Yup. Buying them tomorrow. Well at least one. I would have went today, but he's closed on Mondays.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Originally Posted by runn3rb3an
http:///forum/post/3221349
Haha I hate u! Good luck with them though!
Don't hate me! He's had them for weeks, you had your chance

I only bought one. So I had to pay the full price of $20- w/ my MR discount, still not bad as far as I'm concerned. Beautiful fish. I hope it doesn't eat any corals, but if it does, there's not much in there for him to munch on. He hasn't went near the clam either.
Anyways, you might want to consider picking up the other one. Both fish ate well and looked great at the store. They're eating mysis, brine and blood worms.
 
runn3rb3an

runn3rb3an

Active Member
Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3221586
Don't hate me! He's had them for weeks, you had your chance

I only bought one. So I had to pay the full price of $20- w/ my MR discount, still not bad as far as I'm concerned. Beautiful fish. I hope it doesn't eat any corals, but if it does, there's not much in there for him to munch on. He hasn't went near the clam either.
Anyways, you might want to consider picking up the other one. Both fish ate well and looked great at the store. They're eating mysis, brine and blood worms.
lol i know im just giving you a hard time. how do you get a mr discount????
im just worried about how he does with my future corals lol.
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
Where we are still learning about the requirements of these fish, it is mandatory that you keep us updated on behaviours/observations :)
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3221596
Where we are still learning about the requirements of these fish, it is mandatory that you keep us updated on behaviours/observations :)
Of course. I plan on really watching this guy.
BTW, is there any way to tell whether it's male or female?
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
Yup, you can differentiate by the anal fin.
You can see the male's has orange on his with white dots.

Her fin is solid black.... you can see the male in the background.
 
mwp

mwp

New Member
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3220625
They do eat some polyps for it is found in their bellies, but some are now believing they are not exclusively eating the polyps themselves.
FWIW, the published stomach content analysis of wild fish is something like 95% coral flesh, 4% algae, 1% eggs.
Not to plug my own work, but I really have to. I still think that the Orangespotted Filefish, aka. Harlequin Filefish, is an expert only species as a wild caught fish. Check the March/April 2009 issue of CORAL magazine for the 12 page article on training them onto prepared foods, as well as the spawning and rearing of them in captivity.
BTW, I was going to post up a couple pix for sexing, but Cranberry beat me to it this evening ;) Are those your fish Cranberry?
Matt
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
Yes, they are mine from when I first got them last sept. I've interacted with you about them on other forums.
Lucky for the OP this one came eating a variety of prepared foods. If it wasn't for that, I would have said leave them be. That's half the battle and what makes them an "expert" only fish, IMO. Right now, that mine is on frozen and eating a plethera of food items, her care is not more demanding than any of my other fish. When I initially got her at starting introducing prepared foods.... that's where it took skill.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
I'm very luck that this fish is eating prepared foods already. It eats like a pig! I'm fairly certain that it has already figured out that my name is "Food God" LOL.
I think the blenny is scared of it ...
When I turn the lights on I'll have to find out if it's male of female. I think it's a female. Pretty sure both of them at the store were females
I may still go back and pick up the other one, my husband and I are arguing over the purchase of yet another fish

Question: Some fish change sexes over time if they're alone, will this one?
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Originally Posted by mwp
http:///forum/post/3221712
FWIW, the published stomach content analysis of wild fish is something like 95% coral flesh, 4% algae, 1% eggs.
Not to plug my own work, but I really have to. I still think that the Orangespotted Filefish, aka. Harlequin Filefish, is an expert only species as a wild caught fish. Check the March/April 2009 issue of CORAL magazine for the 12 page article on training them onto prepared foods, as well as the spawning and rearing of them in captivity.
BTW, I was going to post up a couple pix for sexing, but Cranberry beat me to it this evening ;) Are those your fish Cranberry?
Matt
That article is what really made me even more interested in these fish for some reason. I've been waiting for a LFS to have them for the longest time, and these are the first I've seen that are healthy and eating prepared foods. The LFS has had them for well over a month now and they still look good, so I'm taking the risk.
When I asked the owner to feed them, the inhaled food the minute it was dropped in the tank, faster than the other fish in the tank were eating. It also accepted food once I brought it home.
I honestly feel bad separating it from the other one and really think I may still go back and get the other one.
Some random customer at the LFS last night told me that they get to be 6-8" ... I'm fairly certain this isn't true, but I'll double check with you guys. They only get to be like 4", right?
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Originally Posted by mwp
http:///forum/post/3221712
FWIW, the published stomach content analysis of wild fish is something like 95% coral flesh, 4% algae, 1% eggs.
Not to plug my own work, but I really have to. I still think that the Orangespotted Filefish, aka. Harlequin Filefish, is an expert only species as a wild caught fish. Check the March/April 2009 issue of CORAL magazine for the 12 page article on training them onto prepared foods, as well as the spawning and rearing of them in captivity.
BTW, I was going to post up a couple pix for sexing, but Cranberry beat me to it this evening ;) Are those your fish Cranberry?
Matt
I didn't even put the two together, you wrote that article, didn't you? Great write up
 
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