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Slender Fiiefish (Monacanthus tuckeri) — Monacanthidae

Slender Fiiefish

Monacanthus tuckeri
Family: Monacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Slender Fiiefish (Monacanthus tuckeri) is a saltwater fish of the family Monacanthidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–50.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean, on sand and rocky bottoms, often among gorgonians.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The slender filefish is a small filefish (family Monacanthidae) of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species reaches about 10 cm and has a strongly laterally compressed body with rough skin and an erectile dorsal spine that can be locked upright. Its colour is variable and mottled, giving excellent camouflage. It lives over sandy and rocky bottoms and often drifts camouflaged among gorgonians, where it feeds on algae and small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans and of no fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender Fiiefish?

The Slender Fiiefish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Strongly flattened body with a lockable dorsal spine; drifts camouflaged among gorgonians.

Where does the Slender Fiiefish live?

The Slender Fiiefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic and Caribbean, on sand and rocky bottoms, often among gorgonians.

How big does the Slender Fiiefish get?

The Slender Fiiefish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Slender Fiiefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender Fiiefish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Slender Fiiefish edible?

The Slender Fiiefish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Slender Fiiefish (Monacanthus tuckeri) — Monacanthidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Williams, J. T.; Carpenter, K. E.; Van Tassell, J. L.; Hoetjes, P.; Toller, W.; Etnoyer, P.; Smith, M. (CC BY 2.5)
Slender Fiiefish (Monacanthus tuckeri) — Monacanthidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Nhobgood Nick Hobgood (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Slender Fiiefish (Monacanthus tuckeri) — Monacanthidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ben Eddy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Slender Fiiefish (Monacanthus tuckeri) — Monacanthidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Chika Watanabe (CC BY 2.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Slender Fiiefish verified
Scientific name
Monacanthus tuckeri
Family
Monacanthidae
Other names
Slender filefish; Tuckers filefish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean, on sand and rocky bottoms, often among gorgonians. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Strongly flattened body with a lockable dorsal spine; drifts camouflaged among gorgonians. 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Monacanthus

More from the family Monacanthidae

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