Orange Spot Filefish

Common Name: Orange Spot Filefish
Latin: Oxymonacanthus longirostris
Max Size: 4–6 inches
Temperature: 75–82°F
pH: 8.1–8.4
Reef Safe: No

Care Notes:
The Orange Spot Filefish is a beautiful and unique species, known for its vibrant orange spots and slender body. While peaceful and captivating, it is not reef safe, as it feeds on Acropora coral polyps. Due to this behavior, it should be handled with caution when adding to reef tanks, especially those with SPS corals. It can be a challenge to keep in a reef setting due to its tendency to graze on corals.

In terms of feeding, this species can be difficult to get onto frozen or prepared foods. It typically prefers coral polyps and may not readily take to other types of food, making it more challenging to provide a varied diet. Patience and persistence are key when transitioning this species to alternative foods like high-quality algae-based preparations, shrimp, or mysis. Given its feeding habits and potential impact on corals, the Orange Spot Filefish is best suited for fish-only aquariums or systems without Acropora corals. Many aquarists with well established reef tanks may choose to keep them as the coral grows faster than the rate of consumption.