{"product_id":"fanbelly-leatherjacket","title":"Fanbelly Leatherjacket | Monacanthus chinensis","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Fanbelly Leatherjacket is a distinctive Australian filefish recognised by its upturned pointed snout, fan-shaped tail and the large dewlap, or \"fan belly\", it can raise from its underside. This is a substantial fish that reaches around 38 cm as an adult, so it needs a spacious system rather than a nano tank. It has real character and makes an unusual centrepiece for the keeper with room to house it properly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species is native to the eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific, including much of the Australian coast, where it lives over shallow reefs, weedy areas and soft sediments, often among seagrass and sponge gardens. It forages slowly over the bottom picking at small invertebrates, algae and seagrass. In the aquarium it appreciates a mature system with live rock, some open sand and sheltered spots, plus stable water and gentle to moderate flow that mimics the calmer areas it favours in the wild.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe body is laterally compressed and often mottled in shades of brown, olive and cream, with the ability to change colour and pattern to blend with its surroundings. The pointed, upturned snout, the filamentous extension on the tail and the prominent belly flap are the easiest identifying features. Males and females can differ in fin and dewlap development. The adult size of around 38 cm should be kept in mind, as this is not a small filefish. A healthy specimen is alert, feeds readily and carries good body condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is generally peaceful to slightly shy, and it mixes well with calm to moderately robust tank mates. It is best kept as the only filefish unless the tank is large. Being a slow, deliberate feeder, it can be outcompeted by fast, boisterous fish, so choose companions that will not monopolise food or harass it. It should be considered reef safe with caution, as filefish may nip at coral polyps, clam mantles and small ornamental invertebrates, particularly if underfed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is an omnivore with a natural diet of small invertebrates, algae and seagrass. Offer a varied menu of frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped prawn, squid and clam, along with algae-based foods and quality marine pellets. Feeding two or three times a day suits its slow grazing style, and a mature tank with natural microfauna provides useful supplementary food. Keeping it well fed reduces the chance of it sampling corals or invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 300 L, with 450 L or larger recommended given the adult size. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Moderate flow, efficient filtration, good skimming and regular water changes keep conditions stable. Provide plenty of rockwork and sheltered areas so it feels secure. This is best regarded as an intermediate to advanced species, mainly because of its size, its deliberate feeding and the need to watch it around delicate corals and invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding is not routinely achieved in home aquariums. Filefish scatter or attach eggs in the wild and produce pelagic larvae that are very difficult to rear without specialised planktonic foods and dedicated facilities. For the home keeper, the realistic goal is a healthy, well-fed adult in a spacious display rather than captive breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMonacanthus chinensis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFanbelly Leatherjacket (Fan-bellied Filefish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific, including Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e38 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful to shy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate to advanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore; meaty foods, algae and marine preparations\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpacious fish-only or carefully chosen reef systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe with caution (may nip corals, clams and small invertebrates)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include peaceful to moderately robust fish such as tangs, larger wrasses, rabbitfish, hawkfish and calm community marine fish that will not bully it or outcompete it at feeding time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with very aggressive or fast, greedy fish, and be cautious in mixed reefs with prized SPS or LPS corals, clams and small ornamental shrimp that it may nip.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234148827427,"sku":"BA8802-S","price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234148860195,"sku":"BA8802","price":45.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234148892963,"sku":"BA8802-L","price":50.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-38cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351951851811,"sku":"BA8802-XL","price":60.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/fanbelly-leatherjacket-43090658197795-lv.webp?v=1790307189","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/fanbelly-leatherjacket","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}