Scribbled Leatherjacket Filefish (Aluterus scriptus)

Also known as Broomtail File, Broomtail Filefish, Leatherjacket, Scrawled Leatherjacket, Scribbled Filefish, Scribbled Fish, Scribbled Leatherjacket, Scribbled Leatherjacket Filefish, Scrolled Filefish, Tobaccofish

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

  1. Posted by @miuwu
    April 20, 2017 at 12:10 pm - 1 person found this useful.

    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

  2. Posted by Sandra Andersen
    January 17, 2015 at 01:16 am - 1 person found this useful.

    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

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