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Rough leatherjacket (Scobinichthys granulatus) — Monacanthidae

Rough leatherjacket

Scobinichthys granulatus
Family: Monacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Rough leatherjacket (Scobinichthys granulatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Monacanthidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Temperate coastal waters of southern Australia; seagrass and rocky reefs.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The rough leatherjacket is a filefish (Monacanthidae) from the temperate coastal waters of southern Australia. The species has a deep, laterally compressed body with a rough, granular skin, to which the name refers, and a strong first dorsal fin spine that can be erected. It inhabits seagrass beds and rocky reefs, where its colour and shape provide camouflage. It feeds on algae, small invertebrates and growth. Females closely resemble those of related leatherjackets. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Rough leatherjacket?

The Rough leatherjacket has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Rough, granular skin and an erectile dorsal fin spine; camouflaged seagrass dweller.

Where does the Rough leatherjacket live?

The Rough leatherjacket lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Temperate coastal waters of southern Australia; seagrass and rocky reefs.

How big does the Rough leatherjacket get?

The Rough leatherjacket grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Rough leatherjacket dangerous to humans?

No, the Rough leatherjacket is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Rough leatherjacket edible?

The Rough leatherjacket is rarely eaten.

More photos

Rough leatherjacket (Scobinichthys granulatus) — Monacanthidae — 2
miaboord (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Rough leatherjacket (Scobinichthys granulatus) — Monacanthidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Ian Gibbins, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Rough leatherjacket (Scobinichthys granulatus) — Monacanthidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Gina, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Rough leatherjacket (Scobinichthys granulatus) — Monacanthidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) David Spencer Muirhead, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Rough leatherjacket verified
Scientific name
Scobinichthys granulatus
Family
Monacanthidae
Other names
Rough leatherjackets verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Temperate coastal waters of southern Australia; seagrass and rocky reefs.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, small invertebrates and biofilm sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Rough, granular skin and an erectile dorsal fin spine; camouflaged seagrass dweller. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Monacanthidae

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