Clown filefish (Cantherhines dumerili) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Whitespotted filefish, Barred filefish, Orange-fin file, Yelloweye leatherjacket, Vagabond filefish
Family
Monacanthidae (filefishes)
Origin
Indian and Pacific Oceans, East Africa to Hawaii and the eastern Pacific; coral reefs to 70 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
38 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
500 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
with_caution

Care

A large grey-brown filefish with faint bars and orange fins, usually about 25 cm but reaching 38 cm. It is shy, hides when threatened and is seen alone or in pairs. Provide caves and rockwork to shelter in and plenty of swimming space. Water figures here are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, salinity SG 1.023–1.026. Minimum tank size of about 500 litres is our estimate from the adult size and habits, not a published figure. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantherhinesdumerilii). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Grazes the tips of branching corals, algae and sponges, and eats sea urchins and molluscs. In aquaria offer a varied diet of meaty seafood, algae-based foods and sponge-containing preparations.

Breeding

Breeding in home aquaria has not been reported in the sources used here.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe with caution only: it nips branching corals and eats urchins and molluscs. Better in a fish-only tank with rock. Peaceful with similar-sized fish.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.