{"product_id":"aiptasia-eating-filefish-acreichthys-tomentosus-saltwater","title":"Aiptasia Eating Filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eAiptasia Eating Filefish\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eAcreichthys tomentosus\u003c\/em\u003e), also called the Bristletail Filefish, is a small, quirky reef fish that has earned its common name. It is one of the best known biological answers to aiptasia, the glass anemone pest that spreads across rockwork and stings corals. Beyond pest control it is a genuinely charming fish: mottled tan, green, and brown camouflage that shifts to match its surroundings, a single trigger-like dorsal spine, and a slow, hovering swim as it inspects every crevice. Topping out around 4 inches, it fits comfortably in most reef tanks. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-invertebrates\"\u003ecleanup crew and invertebrates\u003c\/a\u003e while you plan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eThe Honest Aiptasia Story\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany of these filefish eat aiptasia readily, and plenty of reefkeepers have watched one clear a tank in a few weeks. It is not a guarantee, though. Individual fish vary, some prefer small aiptasia and ignore large ones, and a filefish that is fed heavily has less reason to go hunting. Your best odds come from adding it to a tank that has an active aiptasia problem and feeding lightly at first. Once the aiptasia is gone, it needs regular meaty foods like everyone else. If you only have a few pest anemones, a direct treatment like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/joes-juice-aiptasia-20ml\"\u003eJoe's Juice\u003c\/a\u003e is faster, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/peppermint-shrimp-lysmata-sp-saltwater\"\u003ePeppermint Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e are another biological option.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 gallons or larger, with plenty of live rock for grazing and hiding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, salinity 1.020 to 1.026.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e omnivore that picks at rock all day. Supplement with small frozen foods like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/reef-nutrition-arcti-pods\"\u003eArcti-Pods\u003c\/a\u003e. It is a slow, deliberate eater, so make sure food reaches it before faster tank mates clean up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeaceful setting:\u003c\/strong\u003e it does best with calm tank mates. Pushy, fast-feeding fish can outcompete it at mealtime.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandle with care:\u003c\/strong\u003e when startled it locks its dorsal spine upright and wedges into the rock. Catch it with a container rather than a net, since the spine and bristly skin snag easily.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAcreichthys tomentosus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAiptasia Eating Filefish, Bristletail Filefish, Matted Filefish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFiji, South Pacific\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eWith caution, see Compatibility\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 4 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e30 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020 to 1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore, picks at aiptasia and rock\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe with caution.\u003c\/strong\u003e Most leave SPS and the majority of soft corals alone, but some individuals develop a taste for zoanthids, LPS polyps, or clam mantles, especially once the aiptasia runs out. Keeping it well fed lowers that risk. If your tank is built around a zoanthid garden or prized LPS, watch it closely for the first few weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith fish it is a gentle neighbor. Good tank mates include the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocellaris-clownfish-amphiprion-ocellaris-saltwater\"\u003eOcellaris Clownfish\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/royal-gramma-gramma-loreto-saltwater\"\u003eRoyal Gramma\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/banggai-cardinalfish-pterapogon-kauderni-saltwater\"\u003eBanggai Cardinalfish\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/firefish-goby-nemateleotris-magnifica-saltwater\"\u003eFirefish Goby\u003c\/a\u003e. Shrimp, snails, and hermit crabs are generally safe. Avoid aggressive fish, triggers, and larger puffers that will bully or nip a slow swimmer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePiscine Energetics PE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e frozen food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/reef-nutrition-arcti-pods\"\u003eReef Nutrition Arcti-Pods\u003c\/a\u003e, small enough for its tiny mouth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-frozen-mysis-shrimp\"\u003eHikari Bio-Pure Frozen Mysis Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/joes-juice-aiptasia-20ml\"\u003eJoe's Juice Aiptasia Eliminator\u003c\/a\u003e for spot treating large or stubborn aiptasia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/innovative-marine-accudrip-drip-acclimator\"\u003eInnovative Marine AccuDrip Acclimator\u003c\/a\u003e for a slow, low-stress introduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it definitely eat my aiptasia?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost do, but not every individual. Add it to a tank with an active aiptasia problem, go easy on feeding at first, and give it a few weeks. For a handful of pests, spot treatment is quicker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it eat my corals?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsually not, but some nip zoanthids, LPS polyps, or clam mantles. That is why we call it reef safe with caution rather than fully reef safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat do I feed it once the aiptasia is gone?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSmall meaty frozen foods like mysis and copepods, offered daily. Watch that it actually gets food, since it eats slowly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does it keep changing color?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCamouflage. Filefish shift shade and pattern to match the rock around them, and they look different when resting, feeding, or stressed. It is completely normal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48159804719323,"sku":"FFIAI500AA-4","price":47.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/Green_Filefish_2919a9b7-aae9-4652-a7e4-4a8f5946d726_jpg.webp?v=1767876900","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aiptasia-eating-filefish-acreichthys-tomentosus-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}