Red Tail File

Species Overview

• Common name: Red Tail Filefish

• Scientific name: Cantherhines spp. or related filefish species (exact ID depends on strain)

• Origin: Indo-Pacific reefs

• Adult size: 12–20 cm (5–8") depending on species

• Lifespan: 5–7 years in well-maintained aquariums

🌈 Appearance

• Body shape: Laterally compressed, rough-textured skin typical of filefish.

• Coloration:

  • Base body color often gray or brown with subtle markings.

  • Bright red or orange caudal (tail) fin, making it easily identifiable.

  • Some have faint spots or stripes on the body.

• Juveniles: Usually paler with less intense tail color; coloration intensifies with age.

🏞 Tank Requirements

• Tank size: Minimum 250L (65 gallons) for a single adult; larger for multiple fish.

• Water parameters:

  • Temperature: 24–28 °C

  • pH: 8.1–8.4

  • Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG

• Aquascape: Provide plenty of hiding spots using live rock or caves. Open swimming areas are also needed.

• Substrate: Sand or fine gravel preferred.

🍽 Diet

• Omnivorous: feeds on small crustaceans, mollusks, algae, and detritus.

• In captivity: accept frozen mysis, brine shrimp, and meaty marine preparations.

• Can nip at soft corals or polyps, so not 100% reef-safe with delicate corals.

👫 Behavior & Compatibility

• Generally semi-aggressive but calm compared to triggerfish.

• Territorial toward similar-sized filefish; avoid keeping multiples in small tanks.

• Compatible with peaceful, robust reef fish that are not slow-moving or long-finned.

• Avoid aggressive or very small fish that could be eaten.

🐣 Breeding

• Rarely bred in home aquariums; mostly wild-caught.

• Juveniles sometimes sold separately due to striking tail coloration.

⚡ Key Selling Points

• Distinct bright red tail provides a striking accent in marine tanks.

• Hardy and relatively easy to care for in large saltwater aquariums.

• Adds unique texture and movement to display aquariums.

• Suitable for fish-only reef or mixed species marine tanks.