Honeycomb Filefish

The Honeycomb Filefish (Cantherhines pardalis), also called the Honeycomb Leatherjacket or Wirenet Filefish, has a flattened body, pointed snout, and prominent first dorsal spine. Its flanks can show a network of dark polygonal markings, a mottled gray-brown pattern, or an almost solid brown color. A small white mark on the upper tail base just behind the soft dorsal fin is a more consistent identification feature than the honeycomb pattern.

This species occurs across much of the Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea, and has also been recorded in parts of the eastern Atlantic. It often inhabits outer reef slopes, including silty areas where it can retreat into cover. Juveniles may shelter in floating seaweed. It forages on small animals and other growth on the bottom, making short feeding trips around rock and nearby structure.

In an aquarium, the Honeycomb Filefish suits a mature fish-only system with live rock, calm tankmates, and a sheltered place to feed. It spends time inspecting surfaces and may retreat quickly when disturbed. Plan space for a fish approaching 10 inches and observe feeding closely when it first settles.

Quick Care Guide

Care Level: Moderate
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Adult Size: Up to 9.8 inches (25 cm total length)
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Reef Safe: No
Region: Indo-Pacific and parts of the eastern Atlantic
Scientific Name: Cantherhines pardalis

Tank Requirements

Provide at least 75 gallons for one adult. The documented maximum is 9.8 inches (25 cm) in total length. Choose a broad footprint with room to turn beside the rockwork and enough open water to move between shelters. Use a larger display if several fish use the same area or the rockwork takes up much of the available space.

Build stable rockwork with broad overhangs, shaded ledges, and clear exits. Leave open space in front of cover so the fish can hover and take passing food. Several retreats allow it to move out of sight without giving up access to its feeding area.

Set up a low-flow feeding area. Direct a gentle current along a rock face or across the entrance to a shelter. Maintain stronger circulation elsewhere for surface agitation and oxygen exchange. Watch where fine food travels and adjust the delivery position if it is swept past the fish before it can feed.

Use established biological filtration, an appropriately fitted lid, and guarded intakes. Anchor larger rocks so the fish has stable cover if it raises its dorsal spine in a crevice. Leave enough space around the aquascape to siphon settled food without moving the fish’s shelter.

A recently introduced fish may use one overhang for most of the day. Begin feeding near the spot it chooses and move the feeding area outward as it becomes comfortable. Keep another sheltered position available in case a tankmate starts using the same ledge.

Diet and Feeding

The Honeycomb Filefish naturally picks at bottom-dwelling invertebrates. In captivity, offer an omnivore rotation centered on small marine animal foods, with algae-based foods and complete preparations included. Its mouth is small relative to its body, so chop seafood into pieces the fish can pick up and swallow readily.

Rotate foods from these options.

• Small frozen mysis shrimp
• Enriched brine shrimp
• Finely chopped clam, shrimp, or other marine seafood
• Balanced frozen marine omnivore preparations
• Finely sized marine algae or spirulina-based foods
• Small complete marine pellets once accepted

Start with two to three small meals a day. Offer the first few pieces close to the fish’s cover and watch it take them. If quicker fish intercept the food, feed them at a second position and then offer the filefish its portion along the rock face.

Verify that the fish is swallowing food. The filefish may approach a piece and pick at it without taking much. Try finer pieces, a softer texture, or a calmer delivery position if it repeatedly spits food out. Small frozen foods or enriched live prey may help establish feeding before complete foods are introduced.

Use appetite and body condition to adjust portions over several days. Watch for a thinning body profile or a fish that no longer comes out for meals. Remove leftover seafood and algae before it breaks down, especially food that collects behind shaded rocks.

Temperament and Tankmates

The Honeycomb Filefish is generally peaceful toward unrelated fish. Its deliberate swimming and feeding make it susceptible to persistent fin nipping and feeding competition. Choose calm tankmates that allow it to use its cover and feed without being rushed.

One specimen is the simplest arrangement for most home aquariums. Allow additional room, separate shelters, and distinct feeding positions if keeping compatible filefish together. Observe both fish at meals and around cover to check that one does not consistently displace the other.

Repeated chasing, damaged fins, or a fish that stays hidden through several meals warrants a closer look. Offer food near a quieter shelter and give the fish a second route into cover. Separate incompatible tankmates if it still cannot feed or rest comfortably.

Reef Compatibility

The Honeycomb Filefish is Non Reef Safe. Its natural browsing and aquarium feeding behavior put corals, sponges, mollusks, and other exposed ornamental invertebrates at risk. Individuals may repeatedly pick at animals near favored shelters or grazing surfaces.

Use a fish-only aquarium with live rock for long-term housing. Keep valuable coral colonies and vulnerable invertebrates in a separate display. Regular meals help maintain the filefish’s condition, and natural browsing may continue between feedings.

Water Parameters

Temperature: 74–78°F
Specific Gravity: 1.024–1.026
pH: 8.1–8.4
Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

Maintain a fully cycled, well-oxygenated marine aquarium with undetectable ammonia and nitrite. Replace evaporated water with fresh water and match replacement saltwater to the aquarium during water changes. Check circulation around the rockwork after servicing pumps or filtration.

Track nutrient levels as feeding increases. Clean mechanical filtration and siphon scraps from accessible areas before they accumulate. Observe the fish’s usual breathing, appetite, and shelter use to recognize changes in condition early.

Common Considerations

• Adult Housing: Provide at least 75 gallons for one adult up to 9.8 inches (25 cm), with room to turn around stable rockwork.
• Identification: The small white mark behind the soft dorsal fin is useful when the honeycomb pattern is faint.
• Feeding: Offer fine marine animal foods with algae-based items and complete preparations. Confirm swallowing.
• Tankmates: Choose calm fish and provide separate feeding access when competition develops.
• Reef Risk: House in a fish-only aquarium with live rock. Corals, sponges, and other exposed ornamental invertebrates can be browsed.
• Handling: Use a suitable rigid container where practical, as the dorsal spine can catch in fine mesh.