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Reef Fish Guide designation and why
Keep it wild
The Orangespotted filefish is not worth the effort to keep in an aquarium; it would rather starve to death than accept substitute food (they are obligate coral eaters). They have no chance for survival as seen even in the failure of public aquariums to keep them alive. They do have a minimum population doubling time that ranges from 1.4—4 years which is considered sustainable, but the fact that they don’t live in aquariums makes them an unsustainable choice for anyone. Even though they are available through many vendors, these specific filefish should always be avoided.
Distribution
Indo Pacific: East Africa south to Maputo, Mozambique and east to Somoa, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia, and Tonga. This fish occurs in clear lagoon and seaward reefs from one-half to 30 meters. They are found in pairs of small groups and nests near bases of dead corals, often on clumps of algae.
Maximum Size
4.7 inches (12 cm)
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