{"product_id":"radial-filefish","title":"Radial Filefish","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Radial Filefish (\u003cem\u003eAcreichthys radiatus\u003c\/em\u003e), also called the Radial Leatherjacket or Radiated Filefish, has pale lines that fan outward from the eye and break into bands and short marks farther back on the body. Small skin flaps soften its outline. Its ground color and contrast can shift with its surroundings, and mature males develop a small patch of bristles on each side of the tail base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis species occurs on shallow reefs in the tropical Indo-West Pacific. It is often seen among soft corals, where its stripes and slender outline help it blend into the tentacles. Observations of wild fish include feeding on soft coral polyps and tissue. The same habitat can provide both shelter and opportunities for feeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn an aquarium, the Radial Filefish does best with quiet cover, fine foods, and tankmates that give it time to feed. It can hover almost motionless beside a rock edge and then move a short distance to inspect food. Plan for its adult needs and its potential to browse corals, even if the fish is small or readily accepts prepared food.\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 30 gallons\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Up to 2.8 inches (7 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 Tropical Indo-West Pacific\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eAcreichthys radiatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTank Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide at least 30 gallons for one adult up to 2.8 inches (7 cm) in total length. Choose a footprint that leaves open water beside the rockwork so the fish can move between cover and feeding areas. Use a larger aquarium for a compatible pair or a community with several fish that feed around the rocks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArrange stable rockwork with shaded ledges and several short routes into cover. Upright structures or established marine macroalgae can provide additional shelter. Leave a clear patch immediately outside the main retreat so the fish can feed close to cover and be observed without disturbing it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGive the fish a calmer feeding lane.\u003c\/strong\u003e Direct gentle flow past one ledge and maintain stronger circulation elsewhere for oxygenation and waste removal. Check where small particles travel. A filefish that stays low behind the rocks may need food released closer to its shelter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse a mature biological filter, a fitted lid, and guards on accessible pump intakes. Keep the main feeding area clear enough to siphon food that settles. New fish may choose a different refuge than expected, so observe where the fish spends time and move its initial feeding station there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide an alternate shelter if other fish claim the first one. Keep the routes between retreats open as rockwork and other structures change. A small fish should be able to reach food without crossing a tankmate’s territory each time it leaves cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDiet and Feeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffer a varied marine omnivore diet centered on small animal foods, with balanced preparations and some algae-based foods in the rotation. The species has been observed feeding on soft coral tissue in the wild. Aquarium-raised individuals have also accepted frozen mysis and pellets, and feeding response should be checked for the individual fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRotate foods from these options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall frozen mysis shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnriched brine shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFine frozen copepods or other marine plankton foods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinely chopped marine shrimp or clam\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBalanced marine omnivore preparations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFine pellets or spirulina-based foods once accepted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStart with two to three small meals daily. Release a few pieces close to the fish’s preferred cover and observe whether it swallows them. In a community, feed quick tankmates at a separate location before offering the filefish its portion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUse particles it can pick up easily.\u003c\/strong\u003e Its mouth is small, and a fish that repeatedly spits out larger pieces may eat finer foods more readily. Try frozen plankton, small mysis, or enriched live prey when a new fish is slow to begin feeding. Introduce complete prepared foods as it settles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eObserve body condition over several meals. A fish can inspect rockwork throughout the day while taking little prepared food. Check whether it consistently eats from the rotation and remove leftovers before they break down beneath ledges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Tankmates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Radial Filefish is generally peaceful toward unrelated fish. It tends to hover near cover and makes short trips to feed. Choose calm, appropriately sized tankmates that leave its shelters available and give it time to take food. Large predators and persistent fin nippers are poor matches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne specimen is a practical choice in a modest display. If keeping compatible individuals together, provide more space, separate retreats, and several feeding positions. Observe each fish at meals, since one can miss food without obvious aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRepeated pursuit, damaged fins, or a fish that rarely emerges to feed signals a need to check the setup. Add a second route into cover or deliver food farther from the busiest part of the aquarium. Separate incompatible fish if normal feeding does not resume.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReef Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Radial Filefish is classified \u003cstrong\u003eNon Reef Safe\u003c\/strong\u003e for general stocking. It has been observed feeding on soft coral polyps and tissue, and some aquarium-raised fish have also nipped corals. Individual behavior varies, so prepared food acceptance alone is insufficient to judge coral compatibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA mature fish-only aquarium with live rock and sheltered structure is the more predictable setup when protecting ornamental corals is a priority. If kept with corals, monitor colonies around its preferred cover for repeated picking and tissue loss. Its natural association with soft corals helps explain its appearance and behavior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75–78°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\u003eUse 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. Verify that flow reaches sheltered areas after servicing pumps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrack nutrient levels as feeding increases, and remove fine food that settles beneath ledges. Observe the fish’s normal appetite, breathing, and use of cover during acclimation so changes in condition are easier to spot.\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 30 gallons for one adult up to 2.8 inches (7 cm), with quiet cover and room to turn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIdentification:\u003c\/strong\u003e Look for pale lines radiating from the eye. Adult males have bristles at the tail base.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding Access:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deliver fine foods near shelter and confirm swallowing at several meals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTankmates:\u003c\/strong\u003e Choose calm companions and use separate feeding positions if competition develops.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef Risk:\u003c\/strong\u003e This species can feed on coral polyps and tissue. Protect ornamental corals by keeping them in a separate display.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a suitable rigid container where practical. The dorsal spine can catch in fine mesh.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"TSA Fish","offers":[{"title":"(0-2.5\")","offer_id":53485014909226,"sku":"FILxRad","price":83.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/0873\/7322\/files\/Tiger-Filefish.png?v=1793988573","url":"https:\/\/topshelfaquatics.com\/products\/radial-filefish","provider":"Top Shelf Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}