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Tasselled leatherjacket (Chaetodermis penicilligerus) — Monacanthidae

Tasselled leatherjacket

Chaetodermis penicilligerus
Family: Monacanthidae

The Tasselled leatherjacket (Chaetodermis penicilligerus) is a saltwater fish of the family Monacanthidae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
31 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–25.0 m
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The tasselled leatherjacket is a filefish (Monacanthidae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 31 cm and has a laterally compressed, brown-grey body with a rough skin set with numerous thread-like skin appendages, an excellent camouflage among weed and seagrass. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in vegetated zones and snaps at small invertebrates and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tasselled leatherjacket?

The Tasselled leatherjacket has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Tasselled leatherjacket live?

The Tasselled leatherjacket lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Tasselled leatherjacket get?

The Tasselled leatherjacket grows to a maximum of about 31 cm.

Is the Tasselled leatherjacket dangerous to humans?

No, the Tasselled leatherjacket is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kwastjes-vijlvis sourced
English name
Tasselled leatherjacket sourced
Scientific name
Chaetodermis penicilligerus
Family
Monacanthidae
Other names
Leafy filefish; Leafy leatherjacket; Prickly leatherjacket verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
31.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Monacanthidae

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