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Estuary filefish (Paramonacanthus tricuspis) — Monacanthidae

Estuary filefish

Paramonacanthus tricuspis
Family: Monacanthidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Estuary filefish (Paramonacanthus tricuspis) is a saltwater fish of the family Monacanthidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–50.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
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 estuary filefish is a small filefish from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed body with rough, leathery skin and a lockable first dorsal spine. It lives in coastal and estuarine water among seagrass and on sand and rubble bottoms and feeds on small benthic life, algae and invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Estuary filefish?

The Estuary filefish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Rough leathery skin and a lockable dorsal fin spine; small estuarine filefish

Where does the Estuary filefish live?

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

How big does the Estuary filefish get?

The Estuary filefish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Estuary filefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Estuary 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 Estuary filefish edible?

The Estuary filefish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Estuary filefish verified
Scientific name
Paramonacanthus tricuspis
Family
Monacanthidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Forked 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)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small benthic life, algae and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Estuary-dwelling filefish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Rough leathery skin and a lockable dorsal fin spine; small estuarine filefish 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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