Harlequin Filefish

The Harlequin Filefish is one of the most stunningly beautiful filefish species, adorned with a vivid turquoise-blue body covered in bright orange spots arranged in neat rows. Its elongated snout and laterally compressed body give it a distinctive, almost comical profile that makes it a highly sought-after species for marine aquariums. In the wild, it is found exclusively among branching Acropora corals on Indo-Pacific reefs, where it feeds directly on coral polyps.

This species represents one of the greatest challenges in marine fishkeeping because it is an obligate corallivore, meaning it feeds almost exclusively on live coral polyps in the wild, with a strong preference for Acropora species. This extremely specialized diet makes long-term captive care exceptionally difficult, and the vast majority of specimens slowly starve in aquariums despite appearing to eat prepared foods. Only the most experienced and dedicated aquarists with established SPS-dominant reef systems should attempt to keep this species.

When kept successfully, the Harlequin Filefish is a peaceful, delicate fish that hovers among coral branches and picks at polyps with its tiny mouth. Pairs often form strong bonds and can be seen swimming together among the corals. Despite its beauty, this species carries a very high mortality rate in captivity and many marine conservation advocates discourage its collection altogether. Potential keepers must be prepared to sacrifice live Acropora colonies to sustain this fish and should only purchase specimens that have been observed eating frozen foods.