Cantherhines macrocerus

American whitespotted filefish
American whitespotted filefish, Cantherhines macrocerus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Monacanthidae
Genus: Cantherhines
Species: C. macrocerus
Binomial name
Cantherhines macrocerus
(Hollard, 1853)

Cantherhines macrocerus, commonly known as the whitespotted filefish or American whitespotted filefish, is a marine fish found along the coast of Florida extending southward into the Caribbean. This species is distinct and separate from Cantherhines dumerilii, the similarly named whitespotted filefish which is found in the Indian and Pacific oceans.

Description

American whitespotted filefish (Cantherhines macrocerus)
American whitespotted filefish (Cantherhines macrocerus)

The American whitespotted filefish typically has a brown or olive colored body, although it may also be grey. These fish can rapidly change appearance to a high contrast color pattern with a much darker background and many light colored spots[1] With a maximum length of around 18 inches, they are smaller than the scrawled filefish which is also found in their range. The American whitespotted filefish is often seen in pairs.

Diet

These fish are omnivorous; although they eat animals like sponges, stinging coral and gorgonians, and algae.[2]

As aquarium fish

The American whitespotted filefish can be kept in large aquariums. These fish are non-aggressive, need plenty of places to hide, and will eat brine shrimp, krill and algae.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Reef-Fish-Identification-Guide-20-Common-Species-Of-Florida-And-The-Caribbean_17.htm
  2. ↑ "Marine Species Identification Portal : Whitespotted filefish - Cantherhines macrocerus". Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  3. ↑ "SaltyTank - White Spotted Filefish, Cantherhines macrocerus Profile, facts & care information". Retrieved 8 September 2014.
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