| Family: |
Monacanthidae (Filefishes) |
| Max. size: |
25.5 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 10 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: Indian Ocean, South China Sea, southern Japan. Reported from Papua New Guinea (Ref. 6771). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 29-30; Anal soft rays: 27-30. Description: Characterized by having highly variable colouration due to chameleon-like ability to change pattern depending on surroundings and mood; usually yellowish to brown with head and body covered with numerous brown to blackish spots and overlying pattern of large irregular blotches that can be intensified or subdued; shorter first dorsal spine compared to snout, origin of spine above middle to posterior half of eye; depth of body at level of origin of anal fin 2.5-2.8 in SL; concave snout profile; immovable pelvic spine, barely projecting beyond large ventral flap; relatively large and rounded caudal fin (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits shallow coastal algal reefs and estuaries. Sometimes solitary (Ref. 90102). Adults are often in pairs (Ref. 48637). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 July 2017 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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