Orangespotted Filefish

From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer

Oxymonacanthus longirostris - (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Orangespotted Filefish

A gloriously pigmented fish that seldom feeds in aquaria, needing live coral polyps on which to graze. Scott W. Michael

[edit] Overview

This is a stunning fish but one that is best avoided because of its specialized diet–it feeds only on small-polyped stony corals. Even those that accept alternate foods usually live a very abbreviated life.

Family: Monacanthidae

Other common name(s):

  • Harlequin Filefish

Native range:

Habitat: Near or among thickets of Acropora spp. branching stony corals.

Maximum length: 12 cm (5 in)

Minimum aquarium size: 76 L (20 gal)

Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)

General swimming level: All levels.

[edit] Feeding

Feeds exclusively on the live polyps of Acropora spp. corals during daylight hours.



Reference: 101 Best Saltwater Fishes
Image credit: SWM
Text credit: SWM
Facts about Orangespotted FilefishRDF feed
Common name Orangespotted Filefish  +, and Harlequin Filefish  +
Family Monacanthidae  +
Genus Oxymonacanthus  +
Image credit SWM  +
Maximum length 5 in  +
Minimum aquarium size 20 gal  +
Native range Indo-Pacific  +
Reference 101 Best Saltwater Fishes  +
Specific name longirostris  +
Swimming level All levels.  +
Text credit SWM  +
Water max temp 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F)  +
Water min temp 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F)  +
Water type Marine  +
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