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Strapweed filefish (Pseudomonacanthus macrurus) — Monacanthidae

Strapweed filefish

Pseudomonacanthus macrurus
Family: Monacanthidae

The Strapweed filefish (Pseudomonacanthus macrurus) is a saltwater fish of the family Monacanthidae that grows up to 26 cm.

Length
25.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–10.0 m
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The strapweed filefish is a filefish (Monacanthidae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 26 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, yellow-brown body with a network of dark lines, a rough skin and an erectable first dorsal spine. It lives on seagrass, sand and rubble bottoms of shallow coastal water and eats small invertebrates, weed and seagrass. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Strapweed filefish?

The Strapweed filefish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Strapweed filefish live?

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

How big does the Strapweed filefish get?

The Strapweed filefish grows to a maximum of about 26 cm. On average the species is around 14 cm.

Is the Strapweed filefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Strapweed filefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Strapweed filefish edible?

Yes, the Strapweed filefish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langstaart-vijlvis sourced
English name
Strapweed filefish sourced
Scientific name
Pseudomonacanthus macrurus
Family
Monacanthidae
Other names
Spotted filefish; Strap-weed file-fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.5 verified
Average length (cm)
13.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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

More from the family Monacanthidae

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