Scrawled Filefish (Aluterus scriptus)

Scrawled Filefish Aluterus scriptus
Name	Scrawled Filefish
Name Lat.	Aluterus scriptus
Family	Filefishes
Family lat.	Monacanthidae
Order	Puffers & Filefishes
Order lat.	Tetraodontiformes
Origin	Atlantic, Indo-Pacific
Habitat	Lagoons, seaward reefs
Diet	Omnivore
pH	8.1-8.4
Hardness	8-10 °KH
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Individual
Reef Compatible	With caution
Care Level	Experts only
Life Span	N/A
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	55 cm
Temperature	22-28 °C
Salinity	33-36 ‰
Aquarium	~ 2.000 l
US Units
Size	22"
Temperature	72-82 °F
Salinity	1.020-1.025 sg
Aquarium	~ 500 gal

Distribution and habitat

Aluterus scriptus are distributed worldwide in all tropical seas of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and the Pacific Ocean (circumtropical). They live there in lagoons as well as on steep slopes of outer reefs, occasionally also under floating water plants in the open sea.

Maintenance

They require a calm, well-structured aquarium with rock or stone structures with living stones, which offer sufficient hiding, resting and retreat possibilities (overhangs) as well as much swimming space with fine-grained sand surfaces. Only lime-rich, heavy metal-free sands, gravels, stones or sea sand may be used.

Filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary to ensure water quality, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. Lighting must be appropriate for the species' day-night rhythm

Salinity: 33-36 ‰	pH value: 8.1-8.4
Carbonate hardness: 8-10 °KH	Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l
phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l	nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l

For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention must be paid to constantly good water quality.

Diet

In nature, they feed on gorgonians, anemones, sea squirts and other tunicates, as well as algae and seaweed. The food supply should consist of live and frozen foods such as mysis, krill and artemia, as well as glass lizard, fish, shrimp and squid meat, and high-quality flake and granulated foods are also accepted. In addition, they  require plant food, such as caulerpa and algae (e.g., norialgae). Lettuce (organic lettuce), spinach and dandelion leaves can also be offered

It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.

Behaviour and compatibility

Because of intraspecific incompatibility, single keeping is recommended. They can be socialized with other calm fish.

Sex dimorphism

No external distinguishing characteristics are known. Adults are olive-brown to gray colored with small black spots. Juvenile animals are rather yellowish-brown colored with dark spots.

Reproduction and breeding

There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.

Important

They can change color and pattern very quickly depending on the environment. When socialized with other fish they often suffer from food competition as they are slow eaters

Due to their natural feeding habits, there is a risk that they will also eat corals and invertebrates (e.g. tubeworms).

If different species are kept together, care should be taken to ensure that the fish match each other in terms of water quality and temperature requirements, as well as their social behavior, and that the setup meets the needs of all species kept together. Newly introduced fish must be acclimated slowly to the water in the aquarium

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: KUITER, DEBELIUS (2007): Atlas der Meeresfische: Die Fische an den Küsten der Weltmeere, Kosmos Verlag; PATZNER & MOOSLEITNER (1999): Meerwasser Atlas Bd. 6, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF