{"product_id":"blackbar-filefish","title":"Blackbar Filefish","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Blackbar Filefish (\u003cem\u003ePervagor janthinosoma\u003c\/em\u003e), also called the Ear-spot Filefish or Gillblotch Leatherjacket, has a dark blue to black blotch around the gill opening, just ahead of the pectoral fin. Fine dark lines mark the sides, and the tail ranges from orange to red. Color can vary considerably, so the dark gill blotch is a better identification feature than tail color alone. This is a separate species from the Redtail Filefish (\u003cem\u003ePervagor melanocephalus\u003c\/em\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis filefish occurs across the Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to the western and central Pacific, north to southern Japan and south to Australia. It inhabits shallow lagoons and coral-rich seaward reefs, where it is often found close to rocks, sponges, and crevices at the bases of large coral colonies. It can slip into cover quickly when disturbed. Adults may occur in pairs in the wild, and one fish may remain concealed while the other is visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the aquarium, the Blackbar Filefish does best with calm tankmates and a sheltered place to feed. It moves between rock cover and short stretches of open water, inspecting surfaces and taking small bites. A mature fish-only aquarium with live rock provides the cover and feeding access it needs while keeping vulnerable ornamental invertebrates out of its browsing area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50 gallons\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Up to 5.5 inches (14 cm total length)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Indo-Pacific\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ePervagor janthinosoma\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTank Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide at least 50 gallons for long-term adult housing, including when starting with a smaller fish. Adults reach about 5.5 inches (14 cm) in total length. Choose a footprint with enough front-to-back room for the fish to turn beside the rocks and clear routes between retreats. Allow additional room if keeping several community fish that use the same feeding area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArrange stable rockwork with shaded ledges, caves, and crevices at different heights. Leave open water directly outside the shelters so the filefish can emerge, browse, and take passing food. Several openings let it withdraw from a tankmate without having to abandon its usual feeding area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKeep one feeding area out of direct pump flow.\u003c\/strong\u003e A gentle current past a ledge helps bring fine food within reach. Position stronger flow elsewhere to keep the aquarium oxygenated and move debris toward filtration. Check that a sheltered corner still gets enough water movement for uneaten food to remain visible and accessible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse an established biological filter, good surface movement, and a secure cover around cables and plumbing. Make it easy to siphon around rock bases and remove food that settles below overhangs. In the first days after introduction, observe which shelter the fish actually uses and deliver food where it can reach it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDiet and Feeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeed a varied omnivore diet with an emphasis on small marine animal foods. Benthic invertebrates are part of its natural feeding ecology. Offer finely cut seafood and a balanced prepared food, with algae-based items as part of the rotation. Choose pieces that the fish can pick up and swallow without repeatedly dropping them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRotate suitable foods such as the following.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrozen mysis shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnriched brine shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinely chopped marine shrimp, clam, or other seafood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBalanced frozen marine omnivore preparations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinely sized algae-based marine foods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStart with two to three small meals per day. Deliver some food beside its shelter and watch for swallowing before offering more. In a mixed aquarium, feed faster fish in one part of the tank, then release a small portion near the filefish’s retreat so it has time to inspect and take the food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCheck feeding during acclimation.\u003c\/strong\u003e A Blackbar Filefish may stay close to cover at first or ignore unfamiliar prepared food. Try small frozen foods, or enriched live prey if needed to start a feeding response. Introduce other foods once it is taking meals reliably and use body condition and appetite to guide portions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemove uneaten food before it breaks down, particularly pieces that settle behind ledges. Track whether the filefish stays at a healthy weight over several feedings. If it repeatedly approaches food without swallowing, try smaller pieces and a quieter feeding position before increasing the amount.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Tankmates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Blackbar Filefish is generally peaceful toward unrelated tankmates. It can be secretive in a busy aquarium and may spend more time under a ledge if other fish crowd its feeding area. Choose calm companions that allow it to make repeated feeding trips near cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne filefish is the simplest arrangement in a typical display. Wild pairs do occur, but pairing unfamiliar fish in an aquarium requires extra space and close observation. Provide separate retreats and feeding stations if keeping similar fish together, and have a way to separate them if one controls both areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid persistent fin nippers and fish that rush every portion of food. Watch for a filefish that repeatedly retreats before taking a bite, remains hidden through several meals, or develops damaged fins. Separate feeding areas or a change in tankmates may be needed to restore regular feeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReef Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Blackbar Filefish is classified \u003cstrong\u003eNon Reef Safe\u003c\/strong\u003e. It browses on reef surfaces and can pick at exposed ornamental invertebrates. Its association with coral-rich habitat describes where it lives and shelters. It does not establish compatibility with a mixed reef display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping it with valuable coral colonies, ornamental tubeworms, or other vulnerable sessile invertebrates. Feeding it regularly supports good condition, but does not prevent browsing. A fish-only system with live rock lets the fish use natural cover and feeding surfaces while reducing conflicts with ornamental livestock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 74–78°F\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecific Gravity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.024–1.026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.1–8.4\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlkalinity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8–12 dKH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep the aquarium fully cycled with undetectable ammonia and nitrite. Maintain steady specific gravity through freshwater top-off and match the temperature and salinity of new saltwater during water changes. Check circulation and surface movement after servicing pumps or filters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse nutrient tests and the amount of uneaten food to guide maintenance. The fish benefits from multiple small meals, so clean mechanical filtration and siphon accessible scraps as needed. Changes in appetite, breathing, or shelter use are reasons to check water quality and watch for competition around the retreat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Considerations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Housing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide at least 50 gallons with covered retreats, sheltered flow, and room to turn beside the rockwork.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies Identification:\u003c\/strong\u003e Look for the dark blotch around the gill opening. The orange-red tail can also occur in other filefish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding Access:\u003c\/strong\u003e Offer small pieces near cover and confirm swallowing before adding more food.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTankmates:\u003c\/strong\u003e Choose calm fish that give the filefish time to feed and access to more than one retreat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef Compatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e House in a fish-only aquarium with live rock. Browsing can put exposed ornamental invertebrates at risk.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a suitable rigid container when practical. The first dorsal spine can snag in fine mesh.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"TSA Fish","offers":[{"title":"Standard \/ S (1.1-1.5\")","offer_id":53483361730858,"sku":"FILxBlkS","price":68.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Standard \/ SM (1.6-2\")","offer_id":53483387617578,"sku":"FILxBlkSM","price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard \/ M (2.1-2.5\")","offer_id":53483387650346,"sku":"FILxBlkM","price":83.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard \/ ML (2.6-3\")","offer_id":53483387683114,"sku":"FILxBlkML","price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Standard \/ L (3.1-3.5\")","offer_id":53483387715882,"sku":"FILxBlkL","price":110.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fiji \/ S (1.1-1.5\")","offer_id":53483390337322,"sku":"FILxFBlkS","price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fiji \/ SM (1.6-2\")","offer_id":53483390370090,"sku":"FILxFBlkSM","price":77.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fiji \/ M (2.1-2.5\")","offer_id":53483390402858,"sku":"FILxFBlkM","price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fiji \/ ML (2.6-3\")","offer_id":53483390435626,"sku":"FILxFBlkML","price":98.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fiji \/ L (3.1-3.5\")","offer_id":53483390468394,"sku":"FILxFBlkL","price":116.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/0873\/7322\/files\/Blackbar-Filefish.png?v=1793979054","url":"https:\/\/topshelfaquatics.com\/products\/blackbar-filefish","provider":"Top Shelf Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}