Fish ID Please

[Bosco83]

When we were at the aquarium the other day I really liked this fish but I don't know what it is. I'm sure someone on here knows what it is I'm figuring it's not reef safe or is hard to keep because I have never seen one.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[user 26995]

Looks like a bird wrasse of some kind.

 

[NC2WA]

it is a filefish.

 

[user 26995]

Oh, yeah your right. A Harlequin filefish.

 

[Bosco83]

Thanks!

 

[returnofsid]

It is a filefish and if I'm not mistaken, they're coralvores. They eat SPS polyps and MUST eat SPS polyps to survive.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Very high mortality rates.
IMHO, they should NOT be imported

 

[returnofsid]

Very high mortality rates.
IMHO, they should NOT be imported

I completely agree! Because of it's obligate coral diet, they have a very slim chance of living, in captivity. Here's a great article about them, giving hope that they may be able to be kept in captivity, with more education. Until there's a lot more known about them though, I also believe they should remain on the reef!
A New Future for the Harlequin Filefish | Coral Magazine

 

[Bosco83]

Yea after you guys told me what it was i did some reading and decided not to even try and get one. I knew there was a reason nobody has them I told my wife that before I even asked lol.