Chaetodermis penicilligerus

Datasheet

General Description

The Prickly leatherjacket (Chaetodermis penicilligerus), also known as the Tasselled leatherjacket or Leafy filefish, belongs to the Monacanthidae family (Monacanthidae - Chaetodermis) and is native to the Indo-West Pacific region, extending from the Indo-Malayan area to Australia and northwards to Japan. These filefish have a unique appearance that may not appeal to all enthusiasts, as some species are known to occasionally feed on corals and invertebrates, making them less ideal for coral tanks. They are sometimes introduced into aquariums to help control glass anemones and Majano anemones, with Pervagor nigrolineatus being particularly effective at this task.

Aquarium Suitability

The Prickly leatherjacket is considered suitable for aquariums, albeit with care. They are generally hardy and can grow up to 31.0 cm in size, requiring a minimum tank size of 700 liters. It is crucial to provide ample hiding spots within live rocks for these fish, as they are initially shy when introduced to a new environment. Regular feeding, multiple times a day, is essential, especially during the acclimatization period, although they can feed on natural algae in the tank.

Care and Hardiness

For optimal care, these fish should be placed in a well-established aquarium with ample algae growth on rocks for grazing. If algae levels are insufficient, additional feedings supplemented with algae-rich foods such as seaweed, nori, and spirulina are recommended. The species can be peaceful but may exhibit aggression towards similar species, necessitating cautious tankmates selection.

Reef Suitability

The Prickly leatherjacket is deemed reef-safe with some luck, but their feeding habits can pose a threat to small crustaceans like shrimp, as they are fond of consuming tubeworms. As a result, careful consideration is required when housing them in reef setups to avoid any conflict with other inhabitants.

Aquarium Setup

To create an ideal habitat for the Prickly leatherjacket, it is crucial to maintain water conditions within the parameters of pH 8.1-8.4, a specific gravity of 1.020-1.025, a temperature range of 22.2-25.6°C, and a carbonate hardness between 8-12 dKH. Ensuring a well-aerated and established environment with suitable live rock structures for hiding is essential for their well-being.

Behaviour

These filefish are known to be initially shy but can become more outgoing once acclimated to their surroundings. They may display territorial behavior towards similar species and should be cautiously introduced to avoid aggression within the aquarium.

Feeding and Diet

The Prickly leatherjacket's diet should consist of macroalgae like seaweed, microalgae such as spirulina, and small crustaceans like krill, mysis, and artemia. Regular feeding is essential, especially if natural algae sources are scarce in the tank.

Dimorphism

In terms of dimorphism and captive reproduction, specific information about this species may vary and should be researched further from reliable sources.

Habitat and Distribution

In the wild, the Prickly leatherjacket inhabits areas from the Indo-Malayan region to Australia, extending north to Japan, where it can be found in the East Indian Ocean, Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, and the Central/West Pacific regions. They prefer well-established coral reefs and rocky substrates where they can find ample hiding places and natural food sources.