New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

🌊 Marine Least Concern ⚡ Reports of ciguatera poisoning 🌡️ Subtropical

Planehead filefish

Stephanolepis hispida Linnaeus, 1766
Max Length
36.9 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
2.6
Depth
0–293 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
31.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Found on sand or mud bottoms. Associated with Sargassum . Adults feed on benthic invertebrates . Edible but generally rejected by fishers .

Scientific Name
Stephanolepis hispida
Authority
Linnaeus, 1766
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
36.9 cm
Depth Range
0–293 m
Latitude
37°S – 46°N
Trophic Level
2.6
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
31.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 29 - 35; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 30 - 35. : short and / or deep.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Planehead filefish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Planehead filefish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Size at Maturity
13.9cm TL

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 293 m . Subtropical; 46°N - 37°S, 98°W - 14°E south along the U.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
2.6±0.1
Food Items

benthic invertebrates (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01698 × L2.91 (TL)
Max TL
36.9cm
Dorsal Spines
2
Dorsal Rays
32
Anal Rays
33

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2014

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
31.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
2.6
Omnivore / Planktivore
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Latitude Range
46°N – 37°S
Described By
Linnaeus, 1766

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Planehead filefish ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.