Description
Also known as Broomtail File, Broomtail Filefish, Leatherjacket, Scrawled Filefish, Scrawled Leatherjacket, Scribbled Filefish, Scribbled Fish, Scribbled Leatherjacket, Scrolled Filefish, Tobaccofish.
Found singly, over deep coastal slopes, and outer reef drop-offs, of lagoons and seaward reefs.
They feed on algae, colonial anemones, gorgonians, hydrozoans, seagrass, and tunicates.
Length - 110cm
Depth - 3-120m
Circumtropical
This is the largest of Filefish in the species.
Filefish can alter their colour and pattern to match their surrounds and so deter predators.
Although closely related to the Triggerfish, their "trigger spine" cannot be locked into place. Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/4275
4 comments
Videotaped this guy in Kealakekua Bay, Big Island, HI on April 18, 2017 I was actually videotaping myself when he photobombed me almost hitting me. Guess he was wondering what I was doing LOL
I caught one off Tom Harbours Bridge in Marathon, Florida Keys in March 2014.I can email any pictures if you need just email me an address
Aparently yes - http://fishdb.sinica.edu.tw/eng/species.php?science=Aluterus%20scriptus
is this fish edible?