Aiptasia-Eating Filefish

Aiptasia-Eating Filefish

Acreichthys tomentosus

Also known as: Bristletail Filefish, Matted Filefish

🧂 Saltwater ✌️ Peaceful 🟢 Easy 🍽️ Omnivore Reef Safe (Caution)

Small, mottled green-brown filefish prized for eating Aiptasia pest anemones. A biological control for problem reef tanks.

Tank Size

30 gal
minimum (55+ preferred)

Temperature

74–82°F
23–28°C

pH Range

8–8.4
water acidity

Max Size

4"
10.2 cm

Lifespan

5–8 years
typical in captivity

Swim Level

All
preferred zone

Care Notes

Most individuals eat Aiptasia, but not all — results vary. May also nip at zoanthids and other soft corals. Use with caution in reefs.

Feeding

Aiptasia (if present), frozen mysis, brine shrimp, and marine pellets.

Compatible Tank Mates

Blue Green Chromis 3" Pink Skunk Clownfish 3.5" Skunk Clownfish 4" Orange Skunk Clownfish 4.5" Talbot's Damselfish 2.5" Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse 3" Melanurus Wrasse 5" Cleaner Wrasse 4" Yellow Coris Wrasse 5" Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse 3" Firefish Goby 3" Yellow Watchman Goby 4"

Use Caution With

Ocellaris Clownfish 3" True Percula Clownfish 3" Yellowtail Damselfish 2.5" Blue Tang 12" Yellow Tang 8" Kole Tang 7" Clarkii Clownfish 5" Tomato Clownfish 5" Scopas Tang 8" Naso Tang 18" Convict Tang 8" Azure Damselfish 2.5"

Incompatible With

Maroon Clownfish 6" Blue Devil Damselfish 3" Powder Blue Tang 9" Achilles Tang 10" Purple Tang 10" Three Stripe Damselfish 3" Domino Damselfish 5" Four Stripe Damselfish 3" Jewel Damselfish 6" Clown Tang 15" Catalina Goby 2.5" Volitan Lionfish 15"

Check Compatibility

Want to check if Aiptasia-Eating Filefish is compatible with a specific fish? Use our compatibility checker to build your complete tank.