Redtail Filefish - Pervagor melanocephalus - Flame Variant

Redtail Filefish (Pervagor melanocephalus) are characterized by their bright orange-red back end. This orange-red color may be isolated on the tail only (the more common Green Variant) or cover most of the body (Flame Variant) The body area in front of the reddish color is a dark olive-grey color and the head has small orange spots.

Filefish are related to the "Triggerfish" common to the aquarium trade but are generally much more docile and peaceful in nature. Although they are compatible with most fish of a similar temperament, they are generally not Reef Safe and will pick at corals, polyps, crabs and other invertebrates. They are best kept in a peaceful, fish-only community aquarium.

Some filefish may be tricky to acclimate to an aquarium diet. Most will accept meaty foods like plankton, clams, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp and similar items. Filefish have small mouths designed for picking food items from small crevices and they cannot eat large items. They may still pick at or attempt to eat crustaceans like shrimp however and may pick at or eat some corals and polyps.