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Bristle-tail file-fish (Acreichthys tomentosus)
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Bristle-tail file-fish (Acreichthys tomentosus) specimen
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Monacanthidae

Bristle-tail file-fish

Acreichthys tomentosus

Shifting color and skin texture to vanish

  • Tropical
  • Regional distribution
  • Marine fish
  • Pacific Ocean
  • East Asia
  • Oceania
  • South Asia
  • Southeast Asia
  • Deep-bodied
  • Small
  • Tropical fish

Acreichthys tomentosus, commonly known as the bristle-tail filefish or Aiptasia-eating filefish, is a species of demersal marine fish which belongs to the family Monacanthidae and is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-west Pacific. It is a small fish that can reach a maximum size of 12 cm (4.7 in) length and has the ability to rapidly change color and skin texture and patterns as to avoid detection and consequently predation. It is oviparous.

Maximum length
14 cm
Water
Marine
Body shape
deep_bodied
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Sri Lanka eastward thorough Indonesia to New Caledonia, north to southern Japan.
Conservation status
LCLeast Concern

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