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Blackstriped filefish (Paramonacanthus pusillus) — Monacanthidae

Blackstriped filefish

Paramonacanthus pusillus
Family: Monacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blackstriped filefish (Paramonacanthus pusillus) is a saltwater fish of the family Monacanthidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
14.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
28.0–79.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The faint-striped filefish is a small filefish from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a laterally compressed, yellow-brown body with faint dark stripes and rough, rasp-like skin; on the head is an erectile first dorsal spine. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sandy and seagrass bottoms and eats small bottom invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackstriped filefish?

The Blackstriped filefish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Rasp-like skin and an erectile dorsal fin spine; sand and seagrass dweller

Where does the Blackstriped filefish live?

The Blackstriped filefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific

How big does the Blackstriped filefish get?

The Blackstriped filefish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Blackstriped filefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackstriped filefish 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.

Is the Blackstriped filefish edible?

The Blackstriped filefish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Blackstriped filefish verified
Scientific name
Paramonacanthus pusillus
Family
Monacanthidae
Other names
Blackstriped filefish; Faintstripe filefish; Filefish; Sinhalese leatherjacket verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.6 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
28.0 verified
Max depth (m)
79.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Sand-dwelling small filefish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Rasp-like skin and an erectile dorsal fin spine; sand and seagrass dweller sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Paramonacanthus

More from the family Monacanthidae

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