Strap Weed Filefish

Description: Characterized by having highly variable colouration due to chameleon-like ability to change pattern depending on surroundings and mood; usually yellowish to brown with head and body covered with numerous brown to blackish spots and overlying pattern of large irregular blotches that can be intensified or subdued; shorter first dorsal spine compared to snout, origin of spine above middle to posterior half of eye; depth of body at level of origin of anal fin 2.5-2.8 in SL; concave snout profile; immovable pelvic spine, barely projecting beyond large ventral flap; relatively large and rounded caudal fin (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 29 - 30; Analsoft rays: 27 - 30

Inhabits shallow coastal algal reefs and estuaries. Sometimes solitary (Ref. 90102). Adults are often in pairs (Ref. 48637).

aquarium: commercial

Pseudomonacanthus macrurus (strap-weed filefish), is a filefish of the family Monacanthidae. It reaches a maximum length of 18 cm.

Strap-weed filefish are often found in pairs and inhabit shallow coastal algal reefs and estuaries across the Indian and Pacific oceans.