Pygmy Filefish

The Pygmy Filefish is a small and unassuming species that originates from the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent waters, making it an unusual offering in the marine aquarium trade which is dominated by tropical Indo-Pacific and Caribbean species. It features a compressed body with mottled brown, olive, and tan coloration that provides effective camouflage among seagrass and rocky substrates. Small dark spots and reticulated patterns adorn its rough-textured skin.

This species is a Lessepsian migrant, meaning it naturally entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal from the Red Sea and has established thriving populations throughout the eastern Mediterranean. Its adaptability to different water conditions is a testament to its hardiness. In the aquarium, the Pygmy Filefish is a peaceful and retiring species that prefers the company of live rock, macroalgae, and sheltered areas.

At only 6 inches maximum size, the Pygmy Filefish is suitable for smaller marine aquariums of 30 gallons or more. However, it carries a caution rating for reef compatibility because individual specimens may nip at coral polyps, particularly soft corals and zoanthids. Its peaceful nature makes it compatible with a wide range of community fish, though it should not be housed with aggressive species that might harass it.