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Bridled leatherjacket (Acanthaluteres spilomelanurus) — Monacanthidae

Bridled leatherjacket

Acanthaluteres spilomelanurus
Family: Monacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bridled leatherjacket (Acanthaluteres spilomelanurus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Monacanthidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The bridled leatherjacket is a filefish (Monacanthidae) from the waters around southern Australia. The species is small and has a strongly laterally compressed body with a rough skin, an erectile dorsal spine and, in males, a dark blotch on the tail base. It schools mainly in estuaries over seagrass beds and in Sargassum weed areas. It feeds on small invertebrates and algae. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bridled leatherjacket?

The Bridled leatherjacket has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Bridled leatherjacket live?

The Bridled leatherjacket lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bridled leatherjacket get?

The Bridled leatherjacket grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Bridled leatherjacket dangerous to humans?

No, the Bridled leatherjacket is harmless to humans.

Is the Bridled leatherjacket edible?

The Bridled leatherjacket is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Toom-vijlvis sourced
English name
Bridled leatherjacket verified
Scientific name
Acanthaluteres spilomelanurus
Family
Monacanthidae
Other names
Golden-eyed leatherjacket verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Acanthaluteres

More from the family Monacanthidae

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