Description
Also known as Leatherjacket, Rough Leatherjacket, Triggerfish, Triggerfish Durgon, Unicorn Leatherjacket, Unicorn Leatherjacket Filefish, Yellow-finned Leatherjacket.
Found singly, pairs or in small schools, under floating debris, over shallow water drop-offs and sand flats, close to deeper waters. Varies in colour with age.
They feed on detritus and benthic invertebrates.
Juveniles often close to large sea jellies
Length - 75cm
Depth - 1-80m
Circumtropical
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/Aluterus-monoceros
4 comments
Thank you for pointing out the mistake!
At 75 meters (as described above), this would be the longest true fish in the world. I don't want to be around a fish that is more than three quarters the length of a football field.
Ahh, they are lovely!
Caught two of these South of Pensacola,Fl at Antares public reef in 122 ft water. Had no idea what they were and through back. Sure is one ugly fish!