All fish / Monacanthidae

Harlequin Filefish

Oxymonacanthus longirostris

Also known as orange spotted filefish, longnose filefish, beaked leatherjacket, orange-spotted filefish, harlequin file fish, longnose file fish, ปลาวัวปากแหลม, テングカワハギ, ikan kambing-kambing, 尖吻鲀, 尖嘴炮弹, 橙点尖吻鲀

This slim filefish has a bright green to turquoise body covered in orange spots, plus a long pointed snout that it uses to pick at coral. Its striking colours and calm, curious behaviour make it popular with experienced reef keepers.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a mated pair

Diet

Carnivore: in the wild eats Acropora coral polyps; in captivity some can be weaned onto mysis, enriched brine shrimp and finely chopped seafood

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, north to Japan and south to Australia

Breeding

Pairs lay eggs among algae, and the eggs are guarded until they hatch into tiny pelagic larvae. Captive breeding is very rare and is mostly done in research settings.

Good to know

It is an obligate coral feeder that often starves in captivity unless it learns to eat prepared foods, and it will eat Acropora polyps, so it is only for experienced keepers with a suitable system.