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Sandwich isle file (Cantherhines sandwichiensis) — Monacanthidae

Sandwich isle file

Cantherhines sandwichiensis
Family: Monacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Sandwich isle file (Cantherhines sandwichiensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Monacanthidae that grows up to 19 cm.

Length
19.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2–73 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Pacific Ocean; coral and rocky reefs.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Hawaiian filefish is a filefish (Monacanthidae) from the Pacific Ocean. The species has a deep, strongly laterally compressed body with a rough, file-like skin and a stout, lockable first dorsal spine that it can erect to wedge itself into a crevice. It lives benthopelagically over coral and rock. It feeds mainly on algae and detritus, but also eats tunicates, coral, sponges and other invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sandwich isle file?

The Sandwich isle file has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Rough file-like skin and a lockable dorsal fin spine to wedge itself into crevices.

Where does the Sandwich isle file live?

The Sandwich isle file lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Pacific Ocean; coral and rocky reefs.

How big does the Sandwich isle file get?

The Sandwich isle file grows to a maximum of about 19 cm.

Is the Sandwich isle file dangerous to humans?

No, the Sandwich isle file is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Sandwich isle file edible?

The Sandwich isle file is rarely eaten.

More photos

Sandwich isle file (Cantherhines sandwichiensis) — Monacanthidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Jacob, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Sandwich isle file (Cantherhines sandwichiensis) — Monacanthidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) David R, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Sandwich isle file (Cantherhines sandwichiensis) — Monacanthidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) David R, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Sandwich isle file (Cantherhines sandwichiensis) — Monacanthidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) brock, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Sandwich isle file verified
Scientific name
Cantherhines sandwichiensis
Family
Monacanthidae
Other names
Sandwich isle file; Squaretail filefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.3 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
Min depth (m)
2 verified
Max depth (m)
73 verified
Natural range
Pacific Ocean; coral and rocky reefs.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae and detritus, also sea squirts, coral and sponges 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 file-like skin and a lockable dorsal fin spine to wedge itself into crevices. 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

Same genus Cantherhines

More from the family Monacanthidae

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