WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Fringed Filefish

Monacanthus ciliatus

Also known as: Cucold, Fan-bellied Leatherjacket, Leafy Filefish, Leatherfish, Leatherjacket, Tasseled Filefish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2015
Adult
@jbonnette · Navarre Beach Florida, United States · October 20151 / 3

Showing details for the adult stage. Switch stages to see how it differs.

01

Overview

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.

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.

02

How to identify

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

Where the adult stage lives, and where its photos were taken.

  • Range · Western Atlantic, Caribbean, Eastern Atlantic
  • Country only · 3
LIVES IN

Found over rock, sand and in seagrass beds, in shallow to deep waters of reefs, Often found head down amongst seagrass blades.

04

Adult photos 3

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderTetraodontiformes
    5. familyMonacanthidae
    6. genusMonacanthus
    7. speciesMonacanthus ciliatus (Mitchill, 1818)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Filefishes (Monacanthidae)