{"product_id":"green-filefish-acreichthys-tomentosus","title":"Green Filefish | Acreichthys tomentosus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Green Filefish, better known as the Bristletail or Aiptasia-Eating Filefish, is a quirky, endearing little oddball with a mottled green-brown body and a habit of hovering at odd angles among the rockwork. Reaching around 10 cm, it is famous in the hobby for one very useful trick: a genuine appetite for pest Aiptasia anemones, which it picks off the rocks. It is a fascinating, characterful fish for a peaceful system, though reef keepers should be aware it may also sample corals, so it is best considered reef safe with caution.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcreichthys tomentosus is found across the Indo-Pacific in shallow lagoons, seagrass beds and coastal reefs, often over weedy or algae-covered substrate where its camouflage helps it disappear. It is a slow, deliberate swimmer that drifts among cover, picking at small invertebrates, algae and anemones. In the aquarium it does best in a mature, peaceful tank with plenty of live rock, some algae growth and quiet corners to explore and shelter in.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis filefish has a laterally compressed, leaf-shaped body in variable shades of green, brown and cream that it can adjust to match its surroundings, often with fine mottling and small skin filaments (the \"bristles\" of its common name) that enhance the camouflage. The first dorsal spine can be raised like a small flag. Healthy specimens are alert, hold good body condition and actively pick over the rockwork; avoid thin fish with pinched bellies, as filefish that have stopped feeding are hard to recover.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is peaceful and rather shy. The Green Filefish is not aggressive and mixes well with other calm, non-boisterous fish, but it can be nervous and outcompeted at feeding time by pushier species. It should not be kept with small ornamental shrimp, which it may pick at, and it should be watched around prized corals. It is best suited to a peaceful reef or a dedicated setup where its Aiptasia-eating services are welcome.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding is fairly straightforward, which sets it apart from the fussy, coral-obligate filefishes. It is an omnivore that will graze Aiptasia, small invertebrates and algae, and it usually accepts a range of aquarium foods including enriched mysis, vitamin-soaked brine shrimp, finely chopped meaty foods, marine pellets and some algae-based preparations. Feed two to three times a day. Do not rely on Aiptasia as its only food source, as a supply of pest anemones will not sustain it long term.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of around 110 L. Maintain temperature at 24-27°C, pH 8.1-8.4 and salinity around 1.020-1.026. Provide plenty of mature live rock with algae growth, quiet resting spots and gentle to moderate flow, as this is not a strong swimmer and dislikes being buffeted. Keep the system calm and avoid aggressive tankmates. With good feeding and a peaceful environment it settles in well and earns its keep clearing nuisance anemones.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding is occasionally reported in the aquarium. Filefish lay eggs on the substrate or among algae, but rearing the larvae is difficult and requires dedicated systems and live foods well beyond typical home setups. For most keepers the appeal lies in the fish's Aiptasia control and quirky personality rather than any attempt at 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\u003eAcreichthys tomentosus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGreen Filefish (Bristletail \/ Aiptasia-Eating Filefish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific lagoons, seagrass beds and coastal reefs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful and shy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore; Aiptasia, small meaty foods and algae\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\u003ePeaceful reef and fish-only 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 and zoanthids)\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 clownfish, small peaceful wrasses, gobies, cardinalfish, dartfish and other calm reef community fish that will not bully or outcompete it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with aggressive or boisterous fish such as large dottybacks, triggers and pushy wrasses, as well as small ornamental shrimp it may pick at. Watch it around prized LPS corals and zoanthids.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234147778851,"sku":"AA3471-S","price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234147811619,"sku":"AA3471","price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234147844387,"sku":"AA3471-L","price":54.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562721460515,"sku":"AA3471-S-CB","price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562721493283,"sku":"AA3471-M-CB","price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562721526051,"sku":"AA3471-L-CB","price":54.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/green-filefish-acreichthys-t-43091409404195-lv.webp?v=1790307471","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/green-filefish-acreichthys-tomentosus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}