Fringed Filefish

Snout prominently projecting but not very elongate; first dorsal spine originating above posterior part of eye; adult males with two pairs of enlarged recurved spines on each side of caudal peduncle; spines of females only slightly larger than other scale spinules of caudal peduncle (Ref. 13442).

Distinct pairing (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 29 - 37; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 28 - 36

Feeds on plants, planktonic and benthic invertebrates (Ref. 33).

Occurs in shallow water down to 50 m depth, over sandy and rocky bottoms, but more commonly in grass beds (Ref. 3790). Often seen moving head down among seagrass blades (Ref. 9710). The young are often associated with floating Sargassum (Ref. 3720). Feeds on plants and algae, and also on small crustaceans (Ref. 3720). Rarely consumed (Ref. 3790).

fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial