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Fourspine leatherjacket (Eubalichthys quadrispinis) — Monacanthidae

Fourspine leatherjacket

Eubalichthys quadrispinis
Family: Monacanthidae

The Fourspine leatherjacket (Eubalichthys quadrispinis) is a saltwater fish of the family Monacanthidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
135.0–165.0 m
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Fourspine leatherjacket is a filefish (Monacanthidae) from coral-reef, rocky and seagrass water around Australia and the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a deep, strongly laterally compressed body with a rough, file-like skin, a small mouth with strong teeth and an erectable first dorsal spine. As a slow swimmer it nibbles at algae, seaweeds, sponges and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fourspine leatherjacket?

The Fourspine leatherjacket has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Fourspine leatherjacket live?

The Fourspine leatherjacket lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Fourspine leatherjacket get?

The Fourspine leatherjacket grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Fourspine leatherjacket dangerous to humans?

No, the Fourspine leatherjacket is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vierdoorn-bladvis sourced
English name
Fourspine leatherjacket sourced
Scientific name
Eubalichthys quadrispinis
Family
Monacanthidae
Other names
Four-spined leatherjacket verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
135.0 verified
Max depth (m)
165.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Eubalichthys

More from the family Monacanthidae

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