pygmy filefish good tank mates for sh?

CTaylor · 08/07/2015, 09:56 AM

Hi,

I wanted to get a pair of pygmy filefish. They come in at about 1" length, grow to max 3". They are peaceful, and actually prefer cooler waters than most tropical reefs. I have had them before in my reef, but I believe they were both killed same day by a crab while they were perched in a rock sleeping. My seahorse tank has no hitchhikers (yet and hopefully never), since i'm being very careful with it.

I can have them compete less with the SH for the frozen mysis by feeding the filefish first at same time I feed my reef tank fish (separate tank).

I have 2 reidi in a 30 gallon tall. I know it's not a huge tank, but these new guys are very small. And I think they like the same type of environment as seahorses (grasses, sponges, etc).

Thanks!

redhorse · 08/09/2015, 05:45 PM

Not a good idea because filefish are nippers. The seahorse fins will look very good and might be nibbled on. JMHO
If you have already done it, let us know how it worked out.
Thanks

Bongo Shrimp · 08/09/2015, 07:14 PM

I've had first hand experience with this and can confirm what redhorse said. They will absolutely pick at the seahorses. They don't even just nip, they sometimes latch on for a sec and pull. Filefish are horrible seahorse tankmates.

CTaylor · 08/09/2015, 08:19 PM

Bongo, you had first hand experience with the pygmy filefish doing this? Or what species?
I had a pair on my main reef for about two months, never bothered any other fish (no sea horses in it). And were totally peaceful, only picked on algae.

Bongo Shrimp · 08/09/2015, 08:22 PM

I had green files and tried pygmies and since all files are pickers they both ended up picking the seahorses. They don't do it out of aggression and with typical reef fish you wouldn't have any problems since the fish don't just sit not moving.

CTaylor · 08/09/2015, 08:27 PM

ok, thanks Bongo for that exact personal experience

. I will definitely NOT be getting any filefish at all except for my fish/reef tank.

Bongo Shrimp · 08/09/2015, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTaylor

ok, thanks Bongo for that exact personal experience

. I will definitely NOT be getting any filefish at all except for my fish/reef tank.

Yeah sorry to burst your bubble but I'll never forget the look on the seahorse's face while being latched onto by a filefish... and the subsequent hatred-filled removal of said filefish and banishment.

teemee · 08/10/2015, 09:48 AM

hey Bongo,
Do you think the same would happen with an Orange spotted filefish?

CTaylor · 08/10/2015, 02:21 PM

I think he's say it would, but I'm hoping he says it wouldnt also :-D Though I think the spotted filefish likes warmer water than seahorses. I could be wrong.

rayjay · 08/10/2015, 04:04 PM

http://www.seahorse.org/library/arti...filefish.shtml

08/07/2015, 09:56 AM	#1
CTaylor Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,524	pygmy filefish good tank mates for sh? Hi, I wanted to get a pair of pygmy filefish. They come in at about 1" length, grow to max 3". They are peaceful, and actually prefer cooler waters than most tropical reefs. I have had them before in my reef, but I believe they were both killed same day by a crab while they were perched in a rock sleeping. My seahorse tank has no hitchhikers (yet and hopefully never), since i'm being very careful with it. I can have them compete less with the SH for the frozen mysis by feeding the filefish first at same time I feed my reef tank fish (separate tank). I have 2 reidi in a 30 gallon tall. I know it's not a huge tank, but these new guys are very small. And I think they like the same type of environment as seahorses (grasses, sponges, etc). Thanks!

08/09/2015, 07:14 PM	#3
Bongo Shrimp P. ceratophthalma Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,637	I've had first hand experience with this and can confirm what redhorse said. They will absolutely pick at the seahorses. They don't even just nip, they sometimes latch on for a sec and pull. Filefish are horrible seahorse tankmates. __________________ 75g Rainfordia Project

08/09/2015, 08:22 PM	#5
Bongo Shrimp P. ceratophthalma Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,637	I had green files and tried pygmies and since all files are pickers they both ended up picking the seahorses. They don't do it out of aggression and with typical reef fish you wouldn't have any problems since the fish don't just sit not moving. __________________ 75g Rainfordia Project

08/10/2015, 04:04 PM	#10
rayjay Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 3,969	http://www.seahorse.org/library/arti...filefish.shtml __________________ Seahorses. Culture nanno, rotifers and brine shrimp. Current Tank Info: Seahorses

08/09/2015, 05:45 PM	#2
redhorse Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Rancho Cucamonga. CA Posts: 115	Not a good idea because filefish are nippers. The seahorse fins will look very good and might be nibbled on. JMHO If you have already done it, let us know how it worked out. Thanks

08/09/2015, 08:19 PM	#4
CTaylor Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,524	Bongo, you had first hand experience with the pygmy filefish doing this? Or what species? I had a pair on my main reef for about two months, never bothered any other fish (no sea horses in it). And were totally peaceful, only picked on algae.

08/09/2015, 08:27 PM	#6
CTaylor Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,524	ok, thanks Bongo for that exact personal experience . I will definitely NOT be getting any filefish at all except for my fish/reef tank.

08/10/2015, 09:48 AM	#8
teemee Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 281	hey Bongo, Do you think the same would happen with an Orange spotted filefish?

08/10/2015, 02:21 PM	#9
CTaylor Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,524	I think he's say it would, but I'm hoping he says it wouldnt also :-D Though I think the spotted filefish likes warmer water than seahorses. I could be wrong.