Aluterus schoepfii

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Orange filefish

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Monacanthidae
Genus: Aluterus
Species:
A. schoepfii
Binomial name
Aluterus schoepfii
(Walbaum, 1792)

Aluterus schoepfii, the orange filefish, is a species of fish in the family

Balistidae. They can reach a maximum size of 62 centimetres (24 in) although they are common to 40 centimetres (16 in).[2]

Characteristics

Orange filefish can be distinguished by the presence of 2 dorsal spines and 32-29 dorsal soft rays. They do not have anal spines but have 35–41 anal soft rays. The pelvic terminus is absent, the body has numerous small round orange or orange-yellow spots, and the lips are often blackish.[3]

Distribution

Orange filefish are distributed along the

Eastern Atlantic include Cape Blanc and Mauritania to Angola.[3]

Environment

Orange filefish are benthic fish distributed in a depth range of 3 to 900 metres (10 to 2,953 ft). They are subtropical, found between 46°N and 33°S latitudes.[3] [4]

Habitat

These fish are usually found solitary or in pairs over sea bottoms with sea grass, sand, or mud. Juveniles can be found associated with floating Sargassum.[3]

Feeding

Orange filefish feed on a variety of aquatic vegetation, including sea grasses and algae.[3]

Importance to humans

Orange filefish are considered

ciguatera poisoning if eaten.[3]

Similar species

The dotterel filefish is similar to the orange filefish, although the dotterel filefish has a longer tail fin and no orange spots along the body. The orange filefish differs from other triggerfishes by having only 2 dorsal spines.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b “Orange Filefish: Aluterus schoepfii.” Texas A&M University Galveston.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Luna, Susan M. “Aluterus schoepfii.” FishBase
  3. ^ Bailly, N. (2014). &id=159490 Aluterus schoepfii (Walbaum, 1792). In: Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. (2014) FishBase.