Enigmacanthus filamentosus Hutchins, 2002
Enigmacanthus filamentosus
photo by Winterbottom, R.

Family:  Monacanthidae (Filefishes)
Max. size:  3.6 cm SL (male/unsexed); 2.7 cm SL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 36 - 67 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Seychelles and the Marshall Islands. Probably more widespread in insular areas.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27-28; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 26-26; Vertebrae: 19-19. Maximum known size small (3.6 cm SL); soft Doral rays 27-28; anal rays 26; pectoral rays 11/11; dorsal profile of snout straight in male, slightly concave in female, without prominent hump just before nostrils; soft dorsal and anal fins not elevated anteriorly, outer margins convex; soft dorsal fin of male with second ray elongate and filamentous; caudal fin moderately long (about equal to head length), posterior margin convex; pelvis capable of moving vertically through an arc of about 40 degrees, producing a moderately large ventral flap; lobe on rear of pelvis small, directed dorsoposteriorly; pelvic fin rudiment relatively short and small, posterior segment movably articulated with pelvis; midbody scales each with up to six minute spinules located on a transverse ridge, those on caudal peduncle of male slightly longer, recurved, forming a poorly defined patch of bristles (Ref. 48594).
Biology:  Inhabits sandy bottoms, possibly in areas with scattered coral clumps (Ref. 48594).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 02 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.