ORA Captive-Bred Aiptasia-Eating Filefish – Small (Acreichthys tomentosus)
$64.99
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ORA Flat Rate Shipping: $99.99. Ships directly from ORA via Overnight Service in insulated packaging with appropriate heat/cold packs. Dispatch Monday–Wednesday only, subject to availability, weather, holidays, and safe shipping conditions. No free-shipping threshold; standard merchandise free-shipping offers do not apply. Contiguous 48 U.S. states and Washington, DC only. ORA livestock may arrive separately from other items. DOA claims and photos are due within 12 hours of delivery; replacement shipping is extra.
Shipping & Delivery
ORA Flat Rate Shipping: $99.99. No free livestock-shipping threshold applies. Standard merchandise free-shipping offers do not apply.
Ships directly from ORA.
Shipping days: Monday–Wednesday only via Overnight Service in insulated packaging with appropriate heat/cold packs. Dispatch is subject to availability, livestock readiness, holidays, safe weather, and carrier conditions. Overnight transit starts after shipment.
Delivery area: Contiguous 48 United States and Washington, DC only. No Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, other U.S. territories, APO/FPO/DPO, PO boxes, or international delivery. These restrictions also apply through Shopify Collective retailers.
Livestock may arrive separately from dry goods, frozen foods, and other livestock sources. Review the final shipping charges shown at checkout.
DOA claims: Contact us immediately and submit clear photographs within 12 hours of carrier-confirmed delivery. Original shipping is nonrefundable; approved replacements require payment of applicable shipping, packaging, and handling. See the Shipping & Live Arrival Policy for documentation, exclusions, and claim review.
ORA Captive-Bred Aiptasia-Eating Filefish – Small (Acreichthys tomentosus)
Natural Aiptasia Control with a Personality
Meet the ORA Captive-Bred Aiptasia-Eating Filefish, a unique marine fish famous for its appetite for nuisance Aiptasia anemones. Also known as the Matted Leatherjacket or Bristletail Filefish, Acreichthys tomentosus combines unusual camouflage, peaceful behavior, and potential pest-control benefits in one fascinating fish.
Its mottled green, tan, and brown coloration can change depending on its environment and mood, helping it blend naturally into rockwork and vegetation. Adults reach approximately 3.5–4 inches, while this small ORA offering is approximately 0.5–1.5 inches at purchase.
Care Information
Scientific Name: Acreichthys tomentosus
Common Name: Aiptasia-Eating Filefish
Also Known As: Matted Leatherjacket, Bristletail Filefish
Breeder: ORA
Aquaculture: Captive Bred
Approximate Purchase Size: 0.5–1.5 Inches
Maximum Size: Approximately 3.5–4 Inches
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Generally Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Specialty: Aiptasia Control
Reef Safe: With Caution
Aiptasia Control
Aiptasia-Eating Filefish are popular with reef keepers because many individuals will consume nuisance Aiptasia anemones.
However, Aiptasia consumption is not guaranteed. An individual fish may take days or weeks to begin eating Aiptasia, and some may never develop an interest in them. They are not specialized Aiptasia feeders and readily accept standard aquarium foods.
Reef Safe With Caution
This species should be considered reef safe with caution. Although commonly purchased for Aiptasia control, individual filefish may investigate or nip at corals and other sessile invertebrates.
Behavior varies between individuals, so the fish should be monitored carefully in a reef aquarium.
Feeding
Do not rely on Aiptasia as the fish's primary food source. Offer a varied diet of high-quality marine foods, including mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped meaty foods, pellets, and other appropriately sized prepared foods.
Aquarium & Compatibility
Provide an established saltwater aquarium with plenty of rockwork, caves, and areas to explore. These filefish are generally peaceful toward other fish and make interesting additions to appropriately stocked marine systems.
Their ability to alter their mottled coloration and blend into their surroundings is part of what makes them so damn cool to watch.
Captive-Bred by ORA
This Aiptasia-Eating Filefish is captive bred by ORA. The supplier states that ORA fish from this listing ship directly from ORA facilities.
Why Buy From Infinity & Beyond Aquatics?
Get personal aquarium support, help checking compatibility and clear shipping information before ordering. Contact us with questions about choosing or maintaining this item for your aquarium.