Name: Scrawled filefish, scrawled leatherjacket
Scientific Name: Aluterus scriptus (Osbeck, 1765)
Family: Monacanthidae
Group: Bony fish
Class: Fish
Size: 51-100 cm.
The scrawled filefish's tail resembles a broom, giving it a curious appearance. It is a shy fish from the reef area, which may frequently be found under floating objects. It is also frequently seen alone or in pairs swimming upside down! Its scales have got tiny thorns that make them rough to the touch, somewhat shagreenlike. It feeds on algae, aquatic plants, hydrozoans, gorgonians, colonial anemones and tunicates. There are registered cases of their involvement with ciguatera poisoning.
Photo by:
Johnny Jensen (www.jjphoto.dk)
Oceanário Location
Tropical Indian
