Fantail filefish
📖 Overview
Inhabits coral reef areas . Benthopelagic over rock, rubble and sand; juveniles epi- and benthopelagic . Feeds on algae, small benthic invertebrates, and corals .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 36 - 39; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 32 - 36. Head and breast bluish gray, body yellowish or white. Head with irregular, oblique dark lines merging with many closely packed spots on body; region of mouth plus the lips white. Caudal fin red to orange, with a black sub terminal band; soft dorsal and anal fins clear to yellowish. Pelvic rudiment large narrowly attached to blackish posterior margin of ventral flap. Scale spinulation on midbody somewhat longer, finer and more acute than other species; each scale with high transverse ridge; male scale ridge rugosities develop at about 75 mm SL.: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Fantail filefish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 6 - 730 m . Tropical; 30°N - 15°N
🌿 Ecology
algae, small benthic invertebrates, and corals (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Fantail filefish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17.8 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 143 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Fantail filefish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | fantail filefish · orangetail |
| 🏳️Catalan | Peix llima perlat |
| 🌍CES | jednotrn vlajkoocasý |
| 🇩🇪German | Hawaii-Feilenfisch |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Pesce lima coda a ventaglio |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Cauda-de-leque · Peixe-porco-cauda-de-leque |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monacanthus spilosoma | Lay & Bennett | 1839 | Synonym |
| Stephanolepis pricei | Snyder | 1904 | Synonym |
| Stephanolepis spilosoma | Lay & Bennett | 1839 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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