{"product_id":"broom-filefish","title":"Broom Filefish","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Broom Filefish (\u003cem\u003eAmanses scopas\u003c\/em\u003e), also known as the Broom Leatherjacket or Brush-sided Leatherjacket, has a deep, flattened brown body crossed by narrow darker bars. Its soft dorsal and anal fins are pale, while the tail and lips are dark. Mature males have elongated spines along the sides of the tail base, and females have a brushlike patch of bristles in the same area. These features give the species its common name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis filefish occurs across the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa through southern Japan and the Great Barrier Reef to the Society and Tuamotu islands. It lives on clear coastal and outer reefs, particularly where coral colonies grow near rubble patches and gutters. It is secretive and often withdraws into large coral colonies when approached. Individuals occur alone or in pairs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Broom Filefish is an expert-level coral specialist. It feeds directly on living coral polyps, so long-term care depends on maintaining a supply of suitable living prey as well as a quiet, mature aquarium. Set up the feeding system and confirm an individual’s feeding response before bringing it home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Expert\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 265 gallons\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Up to 7.9 inches (20 cm total length)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carnivore (obligate corallivore)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eAmanses scopas\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTank Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlan on at least 265 US gallons, approximately 1,000 liters, for long-term adult housing. Adults can reach 7.9 inches (20 cm) in total length. This is a conservative planning minimum for a dedicated system with room for shelter and food colonies. Tank volume alone cannot sustain the fish if the coral supply is depleted or unsuitable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose a broad footprint with open routes around the rockwork. Set up shaded ledges, stable shelters, and several accessible areas for suitable feeding colonies. Leave enough space to move or replace colonies without disturbing the fish’s main refuge. Rockwork should be stable and shelter entrances should allow the adult to pass comfortably.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEstablish the coral supply before introduction.\u003c\/strong\u003e Maintain live prey colonies in appropriate lighting and flow and have a separate way to grow or replenish them. Position several feeding colonies where the fish can take bites close to cover. Rotate colonies as needed to prevent repeated grazing from stripping the same colony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide good surface movement, oxygenation, and mature biological filtration. Use broad flow around the rockwork, with calmer shelter where the fish can hover. The aquarium needs to support the feeding corals as well as the fish. Track colony condition, tissue loss, and recovery alongside the usual water measurements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFit a secure cover and leave access to remove debris and inspect the fish. A new specimen may spend most of its time near an overhang or in branching cover. Observe quietly from a distance and make sure suitable prey is available near the area it actually uses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDiet and Feeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Broom Filefish is a specialized carnivore and an obligate corallivore in the wild. Documented prey includes polyps from \u003cem\u003eAcropora\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003ePocillopora\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003ePorites\u003c\/em\u003e. Offer suitable live coral tissue and observe which colonies the individual actually grazes. The fish needs ongoing access to acceptable prey, and acceptance can vary by coral and individual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDocumented prey includes the following live corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLiving coral polyps from suitable \u003cem\u003eAcropora\u003c\/em\u003e colonies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLiving coral polyps from suitable \u003cem\u003ePocillopora\u003c\/em\u003e colonies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLiving coral polyps from suitable \u003cem\u003ePorites\u003c\/em\u003e colonies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConfirm sustained feeding before purchase.\u003c\/strong\u003e Ask what living coral the fish is taking and check that you can supply it in sufficient quantity. Brief pecking or a single feeding observation gives limited information. Look for repeated grazing over time and track whether the fish maintains body condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaintain multiple feeding colonies and replace them before they are exhausted. Rotate grazing pressure and keep a reserve separate from the fish. Watch the tissue nearest its favored shelter and compare the condition of colonies between checks. A fish that spends the day near coral may still be eating too little.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReliable long-term substitution with flakes, pellets, frozen seafood, or generalized filefish diets is unestablished. Plan around live coral prey. If the fish stops grazing or loses condition, reassess coral choice, feeding access, and competition promptly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Tankmates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Broom Filefish is generally shy and peaceful toward unrelated fish. It often relies on nearby coral structure or rock cover to retreat. Choose quiet tankmates that give it access to the feeding colonies and avoid fish that nip fins or patrol every entrance to shelter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne fish is the simplest arrangement in a dedicated system. Pairs are seen in the wild, but aquarium pairing adds demand for both cover and prey. Observe compatible individuals separately at feeding time if keeping more than one and provide enough established food colonies to support both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRepeated pursuit, prolonged hiding, and failure to resume grazing can signal an unsuitable stocking arrangement. Add a clear route to cover or separate incompatible fish. Watch body condition as well as visible injuries, because competition can interrupt feeding before it causes obvious damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReef Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Broom Filefish is \u003cstrong\u003eNon Reef Safe\u003c\/strong\u003e. Live coral polyps are its natural food. A conventional ornamental reef with corals intended for display is unsuitable because the fish can repeatedly graze them and cause substantial tissue loss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse a dedicated aquarium set up to support feeding corals and have a way to replenish prey as it is consumed. Assess the system’s ability to grow or replace colonies before adding the fish. A bare fish-only setup cannot provide the living coral prey this species is expected to need.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 77–80°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\u003eUse a fully cycled, well-oxygenated system with undetectable ammonia and nitrite. Replace evaporated water with fresh water and match replacement saltwater during water changes. Maintain stable salinity, temperature, and alkalinity for both the fish and its feeding corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheck water quality and colony condition after adding food corals or changing flow. Remove loose debris and service filtration routinely. Observe appetite, breathing, and normal cover use as the fish settles, and treat reduced grazing or declining body condition as a reason to review the setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Considerations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Housing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plan for at least 265 US gallons, approximately 1,000 liters, with space for live feeding colonies and adult shelter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoral Diet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maintain suitable living coral prey. Confirm sustained feeding and track body condition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoral Supply:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep a separate reserve or dependable replenishment plan and rotate colonies under grazing pressure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTankmates:\u003c\/strong\u003e Choose calm fish that leave access to cover and feeding colonies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef Risk:\u003c\/strong\u003e The fish eats live coral polyps. Use a dedicated system built around this feeding behavior.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a suitable rigid container when practical. The dorsal spine and tail-base spines or bristles can catch in fine mesh.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"TSA Fish","offers":[{"title":"S (1.1-1.5\")","offer_id":53484934922538,"sku":"FILxBroomS","price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"SM (1.6-2\")","offer_id":53484945604906,"sku":"FILxBroomSM","price":80.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"M (2.1-2.5\")","offer_id":53484945637674,"sku":"FILxBroomM","price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"ML (2.6-3\")","offer_id":53484945670442,"sku":"FILxBroomML","price":104.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"L (3.1-3.5\")","offer_id":53484945703210,"sku":"FILxBroomL","price":119.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"XL (3.6-4\")","offer_id":53484945735978,"sku":"FILxBroomX","price":143.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/0873\/7322\/files\/Black-Tail-Trigger.png?v=1793987152","url":"https:\/\/topshelfaquatics.com\/products\/broom-filefish","provider":"Top Shelf Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}