MRDBTC: Bristletail Filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus)

[Domboski]

This might be the first fish offered into the MRDBTC Many people have complained about aptasia so I decided to add one of my Bristletail Filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus) to the ring.

Here are the rules:

• The fish is to be returned to me if there are no takers
• If the fish dies the person caring for the fish must pay me $25 for a replacement
• I'm not responsible for any reef related issues due to the fish (eating shrimp, feather dusters and other inverts)
• I ask that you are careful about who you forward the fish to. If you are uncomfortable forwarding the fish on give him back to me and I'll restart the chain.
• You must track and log the behavior of the fish in this thread so we can learn how best to care for it and how to use them efficiently to deal with aptasia.

Miscellaneous Information:

This fish has proven to be reef safe with the exception of eating ornamental shrimp and feather dusters. However, please be cautious. These fish tend to be shy and it may take a week or two before they start eating the aptasia. Once they do, your problem will quickly be eradicated. Also keep in mind the fish can only eat the aptasia it can reach :duh:

This fish is a carnivore and eats frozen mysis. It will also pick on worms, shrimp and of course pest anemones, especially aptasia.

If you have any other questions post away and I'll try getting back to you quickly.

Thanks for the idea JHOV2324 :biglaugh:

Behavior updates:

1. Prone to getting sucked into strong powerheads
2. Picks on Duncans, Dendros and Plate corals

 

[cb747]

I could use it! I have a bunch that are out of reach

 

[Domboski]

You got it Chris. Sending PM

 

[cb747]

Thanks Dom I appreciate it!

 

[prattreef]

Next in line please

 

[D1J8Z]

me 3

 

[knugenx]

me 4

 

[straightjiggy10]

Awesome Idea!

 

[Domboski]

Awesome Idea!

:lol2: I wish I could take credit but it was actually suggested by JHOV2324

 

[DrCooper]

what exactly is DBTC?

 

[straightjiggy10]

I second that question dr cooper

 

[Domboski]

Read at the top of this forum: http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/dont-break-chain/

 

[aaron23]

Nnooooooooooooooooooooo sigh please let me know if you get one in dom

 

[cb747]

As an update he ate some mysis tonight Aptasia still thriving LOL He will be nice and fat once he discovers them LOL He seems to have bonded with the wavebox and the ribbon eel sucking tunze stream!!

 

[Domboski]

Sounds like he is finally getting acclimated. He'll start kicking some aptasia butt soon

 

[cb747]

As much as i hate to post this final update i have to. I looked in the tank the other day and it was pinned againt one of my Tunze Streams. I freed it and it died a short time later. Thats 2 fish ive lost to the streams. The file fish and a ribbon eel i had for well over a year Im not happy and sorry Dom ill settle up with you next time i see you. Sorry everyone else for not being able to pass this fish on.

 

[Domboski]

Don't sweat it Chris. These things happen. I'll PM ya about your other fish.

 

[Domboski]

Chris made good on the $25 so there will be a new BTFF in rotation. prattreef has first dibs. I've also updated post one with some new information about the fish.

 

[Domboski]

More reports of the Filefish eating clams. Not surprising but worth noting anyway.

 

[Alfredo De La Fe]

It must be interesting catching one of these guys in an established system. I definitely want one, do you have any in inventory right now?

But I love cleaner shrimp and would eventually want to add a pair of cleaners. Would it eat large cleaners? How big are these guys?

Alfred