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Banded leather-jacket (Acreichthys tomentosus) — Monacanthidae

Banded leather-jacket

Acreichthys tomentosus
Family: Monacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Banded leather-jacket (Acreichthys tomentosus) is a saltwater fish of the family Monacanthidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–15.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The bristletail filefish is a small filefish of the family Monacanthidae from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 14 cm and has a laterally compressed, greenish to brown mottled body that camouflages it among weed and seagrass; it can change colour quickly. Adults inhabit reef, weed and rubble areas of shallow coral reefs. As an omnivore it nibbles algae, seagrass, small invertebrates and coral polyps. In the aquarium it is used to control pest anemones (Aiptasia). The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded leather-jacket?

The Banded leather-jacket has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Banded leather-jacket live?

The Banded leather-jacket lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Banded leather-jacket get?

The Banded leather-jacket grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Banded leather-jacket dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded leather-jacket is harmless to humans.

Is the Banded leather-jacket edible?

The Banded leather-jacket is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Borstelstaart-vijlvis sourced
English name
Banded leather-jacket verified
Scientific name
Acreichthys tomentosus
Family
Monacanthidae
Other names
Bristle-tail filefish; Bristle-tail file-fish; Bristle-tail leatherjacket; Bristle-tailed leatherjacket verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
15.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No 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 Acreichthys

More from the family Monacanthidae

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