Tassled Filefish (a.k.a. Prickly Leatherjacket)

dfleary · 01/11/2007, 03:10 PM

Chaetoderma pencilligera -- I bought one of these about 2 months ago. Since that time, it's gone from about 3.5 cm (nose to tail) to about 9 cm, and has become quite the character!

It's in a fish-only aquarium with a heniochus butterfly fish, a harlequin tuskfish, a bird wrasse, and a clown tang. It eats whatever is offered (loves meats, but will even pick at algae sheets), and is very "food-possessive."

This fish usually minds its own business, but will not tolerate harassment from any other fish, in fact, she's probably 2nd in "rank," right under the clown tang, who is self-proclaimed ruler.

Anyone else have any observations on this fish?

Thanks!

saltycreefer · 01/11/2007, 03:56 PM

I think they are great. I've put a few in clients reefs with no problems whatsoever. They are definately a dinstinctive fish.

eddie c · 01/11/2007, 06:12 PM

i have read that they can be healthy and then perish for no apparent reason, i can't find the link to that article though, i read that after i had one that died it was a rather large one too, i had it for about a year eating fine, fat and healthy and then perished for no apparent reason, but they are a cool looking fish.

Marsfrogie · 01/11/2007, 07:30 PM

Do you have any pictures of it?

dfleary · 01/11/2007, 08:19 PM

I just added 3 pics to my gallery for you.

marinelife · 01/11/2007, 08:25 PM

My understanding is they usually live under a year in home aquariums

01/11/2007, 03:10 PM	#1
dfleary Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NC Posts: 205	Tassled Filefish (a.k.a. Prickly Leatherjacket) Chaetoderma pencilligera -- I bought one of these about 2 months ago. Since that time, it's gone from about 3.5 cm (nose to tail) to about 9 cm, and has become quite the character! It's in a fish-only aquarium with a heniochus butterfly fish, a harlequin tuskfish, a bird wrasse, and a clown tang. It eats whatever is offered (loves meats, but will even pick at algae sheets), and is very "food-possessive." This fish usually minds its own business, but will not tolerate harassment from any other fish, in fact, she's probably 2nd in "rank," right under the clown tang, who is self-proclaimed ruler. Anyone else have any observations on this fish? Thanks! __________________ D. Leary, Smithfield, NC Current Tank Info: 120 Gal. Marine

01/11/2007, 03:56 PM	#2
saltycreefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fairfield,CT Posts: 1,696	I think they are great. I've put a few in clients reefs with no problems whatsoever. They are definately a dinstinctive fish. __________________ I love being a turtle!!! Current Tank Info: Got out of tanks for a little while.

01/11/2007, 06:12 PM	#3
eddie c Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, Ca Posts: 414	i have read that they can be healthy and then perish for no apparent reason, i can't find the link to that article though, i read that after i had one that died it was a rather large one too, i had it for about a year eating fine, fat and healthy and then perished for no apparent reason, but they are a cool looking fish. __________________ EDDIE. "don't believe everything you think" Current Tank Info: 75g reef ready with 40 gallon trigger sump/refugium , tunze power head, vectra 2 return pump, Kessil AP9X lighting, reef octopus skimmer and have a battery back for both pumps.

01/11/2007, 08:19 PM	#5
dfleary Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NC Posts: 205	I just added 3 pics to my gallery for you. __________________ D. Leary, Smithfield, NC Current Tank Info: 120 Gal. Marine

01/11/2007, 08:25 PM	#6
marinelife Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Union, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,590	My understanding is they usually live under a year in home aquariums __________________ I'm a SaltGeek are You? All LED since 2010. Current Tank Info: 375 Gallon Reef with siporax, all LED lighting, and Red Dragon 3 and Abyzz A200 on 2 closed loops.

01/11/2007, 07:30 PM	#4
Marsfrogie Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: MS Gulf Coast Posts: 463	Do you have any pictures of it?