FAUNA MARIN SHIPMENT ETA END OF JUNE

SKU: 546654652

Matted Filefish

$180.00
Tax included
size

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Delivery and Shipping

We highly advise same day airfreight for all fish shipping, although overnight courier is also available nationwide.

  • Airfreight is a flat $75 rate anywhere in NZ and can include up to 10 fish/coral for the single charge. We can also include dry goods/frozen food in the order, up to a total weight of 75kg.
  • Overnight courier is $25-50 depending on the destination and polybox used.

    For more information on shipping, head to our shipping page!

What we're feeding

Nutrition, like humans, is important for fish. You get out what you put in. Therefore, EMA places great emphasis on providing all our fish a varied diet. Below is an example of what our fish are currently feeding on:

All our staff are trained in fish nutrition, so if you require any guidence, please ask! Frozen/Dry food can also be sent with your airfreight consignment with no extra charge, so add these to the order if you wish and we will combine them into a seperate box.

Acclimation tips

Adjusting to a new aquarium is the most stressful event a fish can go through, so it's important to understand the following for long term success:

  • Consider your existing fish. When adding a new fish, often existing fish can become aggressive to assert their dominance. This can be hard on the new fish, due to the stress of moving aquariums and then dealing with aggressive fish. Consider removing the existing fish using a fish trap (ours is available for loan, just ask) and place any aggressive fish in the sump for a couple of weeks while the new fish adjusts to their new home.
  • Always acclimate without any lights on. Bright light can be stressful, especially when a fish has been in transit.
  • Slowly open the box to avoid light stress
  • Use the float acclimation method and ensure acclimation isn't too long - we recommend up to 30 minutes.
  • If a fish is showing signs of stress during acclimation, consider speeding up the acclimation. Remember, stress is the number one killer of fish.
  • Once you've adjusted to salinity and temperature through acclimation, release the fish into the aquarium (but not the bag water).
  • Give the fish space. Although adding a new fish is an exciting time, remember that the fish is stressed, so give the fish space while he/she settles in. Avoid sudden movements, running around the tank or tapping on the glass.
  • Have realistic expectations. It is normal for new fish to take a while to eat, or show natural behaviours. This is a transition period, so the less stress you can place the fish under, the better the long term result.
  • Ask. Seems obvious, but our staff can't help if we don't know. Always feel welcome tor each out for advice. You can either use our Chat function 24/7, or email/Facebook us.

Order before 2pm Weekdays for Same Day Shipping!*

Customer Reviews

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EMA's Promise.

Qualified, Honest Advice Using Techniques & Protocols that we use ourselves.

Description

The Matted Filefish is a peaceful, hardy, and highly useful marine fish best known for its natural interest in pest anemones such as Aiptasia. With its subtle mottled patterning, curious behaviour, and excellent camouflage ability, this species brings both character and function to the marine aquarium.

Often called the Aiptasia-Eating Filefish, this species is a popular choice for reef keepers looking for a natural way to help manage unwanted Aiptasia in established systems. While individual results can vary, many aquarists value the Matted Filefish for both its peaceful nature and its practical role in the aquarium.

This species is generally calm and easy-going, making it suitable for many community marine aquariums. It does best in a mature tank with plenty of rockwork, calm tank mates, and regular feeding. Once settled, it becomes an interesting fish to watch as it hovers through the aquarium, exploring rockwork and picking at surfaces.

The Matted Filefish is generally reef safe with caution. Most individuals are well behaved, although some may occasionally nip at soft corals, zoanthids, LPS corals, clam mantles, or fleshy invertebrates, especially if underfed. Keeping it well fed with a varied diet helps support good condition and settled behaviour.

Feed a varied diet including frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and quality marine foods. Once Aiptasia numbers reduce, regular feeding becomes especially important.

A peaceful, practical, and character-filled addition to the right marine aquarium, the Matted Filefish is a great option for hobbyists wanting a hardy fish that may also help with natural Aiptasia control.

Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore / Carnivore
Best Suited For: Mature marine and reef aquariums
Scientific Name: Acreichthys tomentosus

Our Quarantine Procedures

We take livestock seriously. That's why we don't sell anything we wouldn't be comfortable putting in our own tank.

As we are direct from source, we import and sell direct to the public. This means you can buy with confidence knowing EMA prides itself on excellent handling and conditioning protocols.

All our fish held in a quarantine system for a minimum of 3 weeks. During this time, regular water changes are performed, and twice daily (or sometimes more) feedings are performed.

Copper is dosed and checked twice a day for ich and velvet.

During this treatment fish are given formalin baths for brooklynella and a minimum of 3 praziquantel doses is performed for flukes.

Payment & Security

    We offer a number of different payment methods, including Credit Card, Afterpay, Q Card, Pay at Collection, Bank Transfer and POLi.

    Credit card payments are processed securely using the highest possible security protocols.

    Invested in your Success

    Our aim is to provide accurate, honest information that ultimately leads to your success. Our staff are trained in the techniques and approaches we use ourselves, with proven results since 2017.

    Help us clean up our oceans.

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