Harlequin Filefish

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Indo-Pacific reefs, from East Africa to the Great Barrier Reef. Found in shallow lagoons closely associated with branching coral colonies.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Belongs to the family Monacanthidae. Features a highly elongated, tube-like snout and a compressed body. Reaches up to 10 cm.

Social Behavior: Peaceful and shy, lives in mated pairs or small groups among coral branches. Often swims in a head-down posture.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Emerald green or blue body covered with a neat grid of bright orange spots. Males feature a darker orange patch near the tail.

Aquarium Setup: Requires a mature reef aquarium of at least 150 liters (40 gallons) packed with live rocks and healthy branching coral growth.

Diet and Feeding: An

obligate corallivore:, feeding almost exclusively on *Acropora* polyps. Extremely difficult to transition to prepared foods.

Water Quality: Requires pristine reef water parameters: specific gravity 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4, and temperature 24-28°C.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Best kept with small, peaceful species.

Not reef safe: as it will feed directly on stony corals.

Aquarium Breeding: Rare in captivity. They deposit adhesive eggs in green algae or dead coral structures.

Risks and Diseases: Starvation is the leading cause of death. Very sensitive to ammonia and rapid water temperature swings.