Japanese Filefish
Paramonacanthus japonicus
Also known as: Cryptic Filefish, Cryptic Leatherjacket, Hair-finned Filefish, Hair-finned Leatherjacket, Jade Filefish, Jade Leatherjacket, Japanese Leatherjacket, Leatherjacket
- Cryptic Filefish
- Cryptic Leatherjacket
- Hair-finned Filefish
- Hair-finned Leatherjacket
- Jade Filefish
- Jade Leatherjacket
- Japanese Leatherjacket
- Leatherjacket
Showing details for the adult stage. Switch stages to see how it differs.
Overview
Found singly, over muddy, sandy substrates with seagrass and weed cover in shallow estuaries, coastal reefs and deep offshore reefs.
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.
How to identify
- Behaviour
- camouflagedchanges coloursolitary
Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.
Habitat & where to find it
Where the adult stage lives, and where its photos were taken.
- Range · Indo-West Pacific
- Country only · 1
Found singly, over muddy, sandy substrates with seagrass and weed cover in shallow estuaries, coastal reefs and deep offshore reefs.
Adult photos 1
Discussion
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Deep dive
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