About Pervagor spilosoma (Lay & Bennett, 1839)
Pervagor spilosoma, commonly called the fantail filefish, has a flat body with an asymmetrical head. Its base body color is tan, covered in black spots and dark lines, with a white area around the mouth. The caudal (tail) fin is red or orange, while the soft dorsal and anal fins are yellowish, and the dorsal fin is distinctly yellow. Adults of this species weigh between 14.3 and 18.7 grams (0.50 to 0.66 ounces), and their brains weigh between 113 and 116 milligrams. This species is found in the Eastern Pacific, including the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Island. It inhabits coral reefs, rocky areas, and regions with rubble and sand, occurring at depths ranging from 6 to 730 meters (20 to 2,395 feet). It can survive in water temperatures between 41.9 and 83.4 °F, which equals 5.5 to 28.6 °C. Fantail filefish are rare in the aquarium trade. For captive keeping, an aquarium size of 75 gallons or larger is recommended, with water salinity maintained between 1.020 and 1.025. In aquariums, fantail filefish are typically timid when first introduced, but become accustomed to their new environment over time. They may become aggressive toward similar fish species. They require good hiding places, so the inclusion of rocks or other decorative structures is beneficial. Reef aquariums and aquariums housing invertebrates are not suitable for this species, as fantail filefish will eat most types of aquarium invertebrates.
