Fish of the Day: Blackhead Filefish (Pervagor melanocephalus)

revhtree · Jul 17, 2012

Blackhead Filefish / Pervagor melanocephalus

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SCIENTIFIC NAME - Pervagor melanocephalus

COMMON NAME - Blackheaded Filefish

SIZE - 3.9" (10 cm)

MIN. AQUARIUM SIZE - 20 US Gal. ( 76 L)

FOODS AND FEEDING - Live Brine shrimp soaked in a marine vitamin supplement, initially smashing shrimp or squid flesh into the crevices of coral skeleton or live rock may help entice a feeding response, once feeding provide a varied diet of marine animal flesh, frozen preparations for herbivores, Mysid shrimp, freeze dried Krill soaked in vitamin supplement, algae, vegetable matter, Feed min. 3 times a day.

REEF COMPATIBILITY - Not recommended.

CAPTIVE CARE - Demanding species to feed, keep only one or a proven pair, keep with peaceful non competitive food tank mates, may show aggression to closely related species, provide ample shelter, hiding places.

wysiwyg · Jul 17, 2012

awesome coloration

Steven R · Jul 17, 2012

amazing fish.

lostmyz · Jul 17, 2012

looks more like a blueheaded filefish!

revsgirl · Jul 17, 2012

Beautiful fish!!

larryl · Jul 17, 2012

Those colors colide really well.

Zionas · May 1, 2020

I’d get one if I could. Does anyone know something about its temperament, diet, overall hardiness? Thanks.

lion king · May 1, 2020

I kept mine in a predator tank with a radiata lion, betta, and black ribbon eel. He was active and kept to himself. He ate live ghost shrimp, pe mysis, hikari mega marine, krill and whatever bits of shrimp, scallop, and silver fish. A bit challenging to feed in the beginning, just start out with a variety of live foods: amphipods, brine, black worms, and ghost shrimp. Very cool fish.

Zionas · May 1, 2020

Ouch. Getting live foods will be difficult for me. I will have a variety of frozen foods but live will be a problem. I will get some fresh or frozen seafood and seaweed when possible.

Is it hardy and resistant to disease?

lion king · May 1, 2020

Unless you get one aleady eating a dead foods well, I wouldn't trust it. At the very least you should hatch your own brine shrimp and have a tank stocked with pods. This has been the untold story of this fish and why you don't see them very often. Most people don't use live foods to get them established and they never eat. They are not prone to disease but should be prophylactically treated for internal parasites.