| Family: |
Monacanthidae (Filefishes) |
| Max. size: |
35 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 2 - 20 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: western India to Indonesia; south to northwestern Australia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 48-50; Anal soft rays: 58-62. Description: Characterized by generally brownish body color with whitish stripe on dorsal midline/upper back from mouth to caudal fin base; brown stripe from snout to posterior body, often with brown reticulum; feeble and inconspicuous dorsal spine, above middle of pectoral fins; extremely elongate body, depth at anal fin origin about 10-11 in SL; opening of gill as long as eye, nearly horizontal, posterior end below front edge of eye; chin with conspicuous barbel, thick at base, tapering to thread, length about equal to half of length of snout; rhomboidal caudal fin (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits sandy weedy areas of coastal reefs (Ref. 9710). Lives in open muddy substrates in estuaries as well as deep coastal bays. Usually found lining up with ropes, seawhips and large stringy-type sponges. Incredible mimic that may float over the open bottom like a mangrove-shoot, may stand on its head (Ref. 48637). Enters mangroves (Ref. 9710). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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