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Leatherjacket (Pseudalutarius nasicornis) — Monacanthidae

Leatherjacket

Pseudalutarius nasicornis
Family: Monacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Leatherjacket (Pseudalutarius nasicornis) is a saltwater fish of the family Monacanthidae that grows up to 19 cm.

Length
19 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–55.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The rhinoceros leatherjacket is a filefish from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 19 cm and has a strongly laterally compressed, pale body with fine longitudinal lines and an erectile first dorsal spine above the eyes. It lives on sandy and seagrass bottoms near reefs, often in pairs or small groups, and eats small bottom invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Leatherjacket?

The Leatherjacket has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Leatherjacket live?

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

How big does the Leatherjacket get?

The Leatherjacket grows to a maximum of about 19 cm.

Is the Leatherjacket dangerous to humans?

No, the Leatherjacket is harmless to humans.

Is the Leatherjacket edible?

The Leatherjacket is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Neushoorn-vijlvis verified
English name
Leatherjacket verified
Scientific name
Pseudalutarius nasicornis
Family
Monacanthidae
Other names
Rhino filefish; Rhino leatherjacket; Rhinoceros filefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Monacanthidae

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