All fish / Monacanthidae

Blackhead Filefish

Pervagor melanocephalus

Also known as redtail filefish, black head filefish, blackheaded filefish, orange tail filefish, red tail filefish, melanocephalus filefish, ヒゲハギ, 黑头前角单棘鲀, 黑头革鲀

A small filefish with a dark bluish black head and front body that fades into a bright orange or red rear half and tail. It is kept for its striking two-tone colours and inquisitive, slow-swimming manner among rockwork.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a mated pair

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, chopped shrimp, krill, clam and quality frozen marine foods

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-West Pacific: Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Great Barrier Reef, Pacific islands to Samoa

Breeding

Pairs lay demersal eggs on the substrate, which the parents may guard. Captive breeding in home aquariums is rarely reported.

Good to know

Like many filefish it may nip at corals, clams and sessile invertebrates, so it is not fully reef safe. Keep only one per tank unless you have a known pair, as conspecifics can quarrel.