All fish / Monacanthidae

Fantail Filefish

Pervagor spilosoma

Also known as fantail filefish, yellow filefish, hawaiian fantail filefish, spotted filefish, fan-tail filefish, no, ハワイアンファイルフィッシュ, 扇尾单棘鲀

A bright yellow filefish covered in small black spots, with an orange fan-shaped tail edged in black. It is kept for its striking colour and curious, unhurried behaviour, and it is a classic Hawaiian reef export.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Singly, or a mated pair in a large tank

Diet

Omnivore: mysis, chopped seafood, algae, quality marine pellets and flakes

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll (endemic)

Breeding

Pairs lay demersal eggs on the substrate, and the male guards them. Captive breeding is rare, and rearing the tiny pelagic larvae is very difficult.

Good to know

May nip at corals, clam mantles and sessile invertebrates, so it is not reliably reef safe. Hawaiian collection rules can restrict availability.