Filefish

Tall, with a small mouth and plate like scales (Ref. 35388). Three faint irregular broad dark bars on body; a narrow pale transverse band on chin; small light blue spots on upper half of body and median fins, and irregular short lines ventrally (Ref. 13442).

Adults guard the embryos nested in sand which hatched in about two days (Ref. 9778).

Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26 - 29; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 23 - 26

Inhabits bays, harbors, lagoons, and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Abundant along coasts (Ref. 122936). May drift with young at surface among Sargassum (Ref. 9710). Feeds on benthic invertebrates like mollusks and crustaceans (Ref. 4727).

Inhabits bays, harbors, lagoons, and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). May drift with young at surface among Sargassum (Ref. 9710). Usually solitary or in small groups (Ref. 9710). Feeds on benthic invertebrates like mollusks and crustaceans (Ref. 4727). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Consumed mostly fresh, smoked, and dried salted. The flesh is of excellent quality. Because it is resistant to capture, it proliferates and competes for food with other species (Ref. 5377).

fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums