Description
Also known as Cucold, Fan-bellied Leatherjacket, Leafy Filefish, Leatherfish, Leatherjacket, Tasseled Filefish.
Found over rock, sand and in seagrass beds, in shallow to deep waters of reefs, Often found head down amongst seagrass blades. Colour varies, can change colour, darken or lighten to blend in with their surroundings.
They feed on algae, small crustaceans and plants.
Juveniles found with Sargassum rafts.
Length - 20cm
Depth - 1-50m
Widespread Eastern Atlantic, Western Atlantic, Caribbean
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.in/summary/4280
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