Aiptasia Filefish

The Aiptasia filefish is a small filefish species (Monacanthidae) with brown–green camouflage that lives in seagrass beds and algae areas. The single spine on its head can be raised and locked when needed. Males have a bristle-like brush on the tail base. It is famous for eating the glass anemone (Aiptasia), which multiplies quickly in reef aquariums and stings corals; most specimens clear this pest in a short time. It is known to be breedable in the aquarium.

• At least 100 liters; hiding places such as rock structures and macroalgae.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C.
• Reef-safe with caution: once the Aiptasia is gone, some specimens may pick at zoanthids, soft corals and LPS polyps.
• If it is not fed enough after the Aiptasia has been cleared, the risk of it turning to corals increases.

Omnivorous. Besides Aiptasia it eats small crustaceans and algae. It should be accustomed to frozen mysis, brine shrimp and small granules; once the Aiptasia runs out, these foods become essential.

Peaceful and timid; it hovers among the algae, relying on its camouflage. It can be cantankerous towards its own kind, but it leaves other fish alone.

Good companions: Clownfish, gobies, blennies, cardinalfish, small wrasses, cleaner shrimp.

Avoid: Lionfish, large wrasses, triggerfish and other predators.