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Yellow-striped leatherjacket (Meuschenia flavolineata) — Monacanthidae

Yellow-striped leatherjacket

Meuschenia flavolineata
Family: Monacanthidae

The Yellow-striped leatherjacket (Meuschenia flavolineata) is a saltwater fish of the family Monacanthidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15–50 m
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The yellow-striped leatherjacket is a filefish (Monacanthidae) from coastal waters of southern Australia. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a laterally compressed, grey-brown body with yellow longitudinal stripes, a rough skin and an erectile spine above the head. As a bottom-oriented fish it lives around rocky reefs and seagrass meadows and snaps at algae, sponges and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellow-striped leatherjacket?

The Yellow-striped leatherjacket has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Yellow-striped leatherjacket live?

The Yellow-striped leatherjacket lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Yellow-striped leatherjacket get?

The Yellow-striped leatherjacket grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Yellow-striped leatherjacket dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellow-striped leatherjacket is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Yellow-striped leatherjacket (Meuschenia flavolineata) — Monacanthidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Tom McMahon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Yellow-striped leatherjacket (Meuschenia flavolineata) — Monacanthidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) mochasquirrel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Yellow-striped leatherjacket (Meuschenia flavolineata) — Monacanthidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) David Spencer Muirhead, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Yellow-striped leatherjacket (Meuschenia flavolineata) — Monacanthidae — 5
Patrick Wake (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist

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All data

Identification

English name
Yellow-striped leatherjacket sourced
Scientific name
Meuschenia flavolineata
Family
Monacanthidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
15 verified
Max depth (m)
50 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

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

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Meuschenia

More from the family Monacanthidae

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