Red Tail Filefish: The Shy, Colorful Omnivore

The Red Tail Filefish (Pervagor melanocephalus), also known as the Black Headed Filefish or Flame Filefish, is a visually appealing and generally peaceful addition to the marine aquarium. This filefish is distinguished by its striking color pattern: the rear portion of its body is typically a bright orange or red, contrasting sharply with its darker, gray to black head and forebody. Its thin, paddle-like tail often features irregular dark stripes.

Originating from the Indo-Pacific, this species is relatively small for a filefish, reaching a maximum size of about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm). While its peaceful disposition makes it compatible with most non-aggressive tankmates, its omnivorous diet and tendency to graze make it a significant risk in a dedicated reef system.

The Red Tail Filefish requires an established, peaceful environment with ample rockwork and is best suited for the intermediate aquarist due to its dietary requirements and often shy nature when newly introduced.

Diet & Compatibility:

• Diet: The Red Tail Filefish is an Omnivore that feeds on algae, small crustaceans, and other benthic invertebrates in the wild. In the aquarium, a varied diet is critical to maintain its health and vibrant coloration.
• Feeding: It has a small mouth designed for picking at food in crevices, so it needs small, meaty foods (mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, chopped squid) and plenty of marine algae (nori on a clip). It should be fed multiple times per day. Vitamin enrichment is essential to prevent color fading.
• Temperament: Peaceful and Shy. This filefish can be easily bullied by aggressive fish like Triggerfish or large Angelfish. It should be housed only with other peaceful tankmates. It may show aggression toward other filefish, so it is best kept singly unless a proven mated pair is acquired.
• Reef Compatibility: NOT Reef Safe. While generally peaceful toward fish, it is known to nip at and consume various sessile invertebrates, including soft corals, stony corals (LPS and SPS polyps), feather dusters, and zoanthids. It should be kept in a Fish-Only-With-Live-Rock (FOWLR) system.
• Special Notes: Some filefish species are sought after for eating pest anemones like Aiptasia, and while this individual may pick at them, it is not reliably known as a dedicated Aiptasia hunter like its close cousin, the Matted Filefish ( Acreichthys tomentosus ).

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Pervagor melanocephalus
• Primary Common Name: Red Tail Filefish
• Other Common Names: Blackheaded Filefish, Flame Filefish, Black Headed Leatherjacket
• Origin: Indo-Pacific
• Max Size: 4-6 inches (10-15 cm)
• Temperament: Peaceful / Shy
• Diet: Omnivore (Meaty and Algae-based foods)
• Care Level: Intermediate
• Minimum Tank Size: 50 Gallons
• Reef Compatibility: No (Will pick at corals and inverts)