Orange spotted filefish agression?!

alicia24 · May 17, 2023

Hello all,
I just got an orange spotted filefish yesterday. I also have a blue spotted puffer and 2 clownfish. I checked compatibility before I got them and they all said compatible online. The filefish keeps chasing the puffer and so the puffer is always hiding. I can't find anything online about an orange spotted filefish showing agression. The puffer is very docile/has a very sweet personality so it's upsetting to see. I have a 60g tank. The only thing I can think is they have some similarities in apperance so maybe the filefish thinks the puffer is a filefish? Any advice would be appreciated!

vetteguy53081 · May 19, 2023

alicia24 said:
Hello all,
I just got an orange spotted filefish yesterday. I also have a blue spotted puffer and 2 clownfish. I checked compatibility before I got them and they all said compatible online. The filefish keeps chasing the puffer and so the puffer is always hiding. I can't find anything online about an orange spotted filefish showing agression. The puffer is very docile/has a very sweet personality so it's upsetting to see. I have a 60g tank. The only thing I can think is they have some similarities in apperance so maybe the filefish thinks the puffer is a filefish? Any advice would be appreciated!

Clownfish can be territorial and aggressive and if bonded pair, even worse
You may have to isolate the clown or place in sump for a couple of weeks as a “time out”

alicia24 · May 19, 2023

vetteguy53081 said:
Clownfish can be territorial and aggressive and if bonded pair, even worse
You may have to isolate the clown or place in sump for a couple of weeks as a “time out”

Thanks! The clownfish aren't being agressive at all it's the filefish that chases the puffer