Unicorn Filefish (Aluterus monoceros)

Also known as Leatherjacket, Rough Leatherjacket, Triggerfish, Triggerfish Durgon, Unicorn Leatherjacket, Unicorn Leatherjacket Filefish, Yellow-finned Leatherjacket

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

  1. Posted by Jim McKim
    March 24, 2016 at 10:17 am - 1 person found this useful.

    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.

  2. Posted by Ronnie Gilmore
    October 08, 2015 at 13:08 pm - 1 person found this useful.

    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!

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