Aptaisia filefish picking at rock

[Dave’s Saltwater]

Hi
Been in the hobby since 2004 and got out of it in 2015 and got bit by the bug again so here I am. My first time posting or joining any forum so my questions may sound repetitive so forgive me in advance.
I have a 40gl breeder AIO mixed reef

Nitrate 3
Phosphate .2
Calcium 427
Alk 9.45
Mag 1300

7 months into grow out period

Have some aptaisia and my LFS had a nice Aptaisia eating file fish he sold me. He was using it in a Tang tank for maintenance.

My question is why would he pick at rocks like an angel fish?
When I brought him home he was a brownish color, and my dottyback head butted it a few times but leaves him alone now. Although he has changed colors to a deep dark color with white spots on him. He blends into my rock perfectly

 

[00W]

Hi
Been in the hobby since 2004 and got out of it in 2015 and got bit by the bug again so here I am. My first time posting or joining any forum so my questions may sound repetitive so forgive me in advance.
I have a 40gl breeder AIO mixed reef

Nitrate 3
Phosphate .2
Calcium 427
Alk 9.45
Mag 1300

7 months into grow out period

Have some aptaisia and my LFS had a nice Aptaisia eating file fish he sold me. He was using it in a Tang tank for maintenance.

My question is why would he pick at rocks like an angel fish?
When I brought him home he was a brownish color, and my dottyback head butted it a few times but leaves him alone now. Although he has changed colors to a deep dark color with white spots on him. He blends into my rock perfectly

That's what they do.
They are beautiful shy, very mild mannered fish. This is part of their defense mechanism.
They are like chameleons.
They are pathetic eaters and need to be fed at least 3 times a day.
Mine ate brine, flake and nori at times.
Never touch aiptasia, never touched a coral, never touched another fish .
Best house these in a non aggressive environment . Most aggressive fish will leave them alone but they will struggle to get food.
Picking at the rocks is a good thing.
Dottybacks are extremely aggressive fish so keep an eye on that situation because your filefish won't defend itself.

 

[Dave’s Saltwater]

Thx for the reply

He has started to roam around the tank now and most fish leave him alone. I would assume they know he posses no threat
The dottyback is more interested in my six line wrasse now. Really pestering him.
Trying to trap him now and take to the LFS, he said he would take the dottyback.

My stock:
Yellowtail damsel
Springer damsel
Watchman goby
2 blood orange clowns - male and female but won’t pair up
Aptaisia file fish
Lawnmower blenny

Australia Torch coral
Blue tip Hammer
Frogspawn
Baby’s breath favia
Green candy cane
Australia duncan
Various Zoas and mushrooms
Kenya tree