Tassle Filefish

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 12"
• Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-80° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
• Diet: Omnivore   • Origin: Indo-Pacific
• Family: Monacanthidae   • Species: Filefish   • Aquarium Type: Fish Only

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The Tassle Filefish, sometimes referred to as the Leafy Filefish, is an interesting and unique relative of the Triggerfish species. Endemic to the reefs of the Indo-Pacific, the Tassle Filefish gets its name from the multiple, tiny tassle-like protuberances over its entire body; which in conjunction with their broken, horizontal striping, they have an efficient natural camouflage an can blend into the surrounding marine algae among the reef of their natural habitat while they search for food or hide from danger. Tassle Filefish are an active and peaceful species that like to swim around the entire aquarium in search of food and other interesting things. They should not be housed with aggressive tank mates that will pick at their protuberances, such as puffers or triggers.

Tassle Filefish require an aquarium of at least 75 gallons and should be provided with plenty of live rock for shelter as well as a fine sand to crushed coral substrate. They are heavy eaters and should be provided with efficient protein skimming in addition to high quality, biological and mechanical filtration. They will coexist peacefully with other tank mates that are not conspecific or similar in appearance and aggressive tank mates that will harass them or pick at their "tassles" should be avoided (puffers and triggers). Tassle Filfish won't usually harm corals, but will eat invertebrates (including anemones); they aren’t reef safe and would ideally be housed in a peaceful, community oriented FOWLR system.

Tassle Filefish are omnivores and are often found in weedy areas where they blend into their surroundings while they hunt for small fish, shrimp, and other invertebrates in addition to marine algae. They should be fed a variety of meaty food items such as live, frozen, freeze-dried, and vitamin enriched brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, krill, squid, crab meat, clams, and other prepared meaty food as well as marine algae. Feed 3 times per day.