Blackbar Filefish Care Guide
Pervagor janthinosoma is a secretive Indo-Pacific filefish reaching about 13 cm, with a distinctive branchial blotch.
Overview
Pervagor janthinosoma, the Blackbar Filefish, is a filefish of the family Monacanthidae. FishBase describes a blackish to dark bluish body with a distinctive branchial blotch, an orange to red caudal fin and clear pectorals. It reaches about 13 cm standard length.
Taxonomy
- Family: Monacanthidae
- Genus: Pervagor
- Scientific name: Pervagor janthinosoma (Bleeker, 1854)
Habitat
According to FishBase and Wikipedia, the species ranges across the tropical Indo-Pacific from the coast of East Africa to Samoa, north to southern Japan and south to New South Wales and Tonga. It occurs in shallow lagoons and seaward reefs among coral-rich areas at depths of about 8-20 m, hiding among rocks, sponges or in crevices at the bases of large coral formations.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L (about 53 gal)
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Water flow: medium
- Lifespan: 5-8 years (KB record)
Diet
FishBase gives a trophic level of about 2.9, indicating primarily herbivorous to omnivorous feeding. The KB record lists the species as an omnivore fed about twice daily. Specific prey items were not detailed by the consulted sources.
Compatibility
FishBase notes adults typically form pairs and are secretive, with one partner often hiding while the other remains visible. The KB record describes a peaceful, mid-water species that may nip corals, so it is treated as not reef-safe; suggested tankmates include tangs, wrasses and cardinalfish, while aggressive triggers should be avoided.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2015).