ORA’s newest captive-bred introduction, the Whitespotted Pygmy Filefish
Found naturally in waters around Japan and south to Taiwan, the ORA Whitespotted Pygmy Filefish [Rudarius ercodes] is an exciting addition to our expansive collection of captive bred animals. Typically hidden in temperate waters surrounded by macroalgaes and sea grass beds, this diminutive filefish only reaches a maximum length of 3 inches. They have the amazing ability to adjust their coloration and patterns depending on their surroundings, from distinctly spotted to solid shades of green.
When we first started working with this fish, we expected some difficult challenges to overcome. The broodstock we acquired settled in quickly and seem to recognize people more than other fish we have worked with. When you walk by the tanks they quickly swim to you and beg for food, some even spit little jets of water above the surface. Initially water temperature was a concern, but to date has shown no affect on our wild collected broodstock or the juveniles we have produced. Our pairs were happily spawning throughout the summer months when our broodstock tanks regularly get into the mid 80’s. These diminutive fish produce rather large nests but the eggs and larvae are extraordinarily small. Newly hatched prolarvae measure just 1.6mm, perhaps the smallest we have ever worked with at ORA. Despite their small size they proved to be hardy and fast growing.
Juvenile Whitespotted Pygmy Filefish readily accept a variety of foods including frozen and pelleted diets. We have kept a small group of them in a tank with hard and soft corals and have not observed any nipping which suggests that they may be reef safe. With their vigorous appetites and charming personality, the ORA Whitespotted Pygmy Filefish provides the aquarist with endless delight in a tiny aquatic package.
Check the ORA Rudarius ercodes product page for more information.
Image Credit: ORA
