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Minute filefish (Rudarius minutus) — Monacanthidae

Minute filefish

Rudarius minutus
Family: Monacanthidae

The Minute filefish (Rudarius minutus) is a saltwater fish of the family Monacanthidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–15.0 m
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Minute filefish is a small filefish (Monacanthidae) from coastal waters of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 3 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed body with a rough, file-like skin and an erectable first dorsal spine. As a slow swimmer it shelters among seagrass, weed and coral and snaps at small invertebrates, algae and zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Minute filefish?

The Minute filefish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Minute filefish live?

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

How big does the Minute filefish get?

The Minute filefish grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Minute filefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Minute filefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Minuut-dwergvijlvis sourced
English name
Minute filefish sourced
Scientific name
Rudarius minutus
Family
Monacanthidae
Other names
Little filefish; Little file-fish; Minute filefish; Minute leatherjacket verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 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)
15.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Rudarius

More from the family Monacanthidae

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