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• skin thin, rough
• deep, compressed body
• 1st dorsal fin : i-ii, 1st spine very long
• small mouth, teeth strong
• gill opening small
• pelvic = spine or absent

FILEFISHES, LEATHERJACKETS

Filefishes are close relatives of triggerfishes (Balistidae), but differ from them by having more compressed bodies, generally a more pointed snout, a longer first dorsal spine, a very small second dorsal spine (sometimes absent), and no third dorsal spine; the teeth are similar, but not as stout, and there are six instead of eight in the outer row and six or less in the inner row; fins rays are umbranched; the scales, which are not conspicuous, have small setae that gives the skin its coarse texture; the pelvic fins are absent or reduce to a small, scaly spine.

Unlike the triggerfishes, most species are able to change color to match their surroundings, and some develop small skin flaps or tassles which further enhances their camouflage. They tend to be secretive, often hiding in seagrass, thick algal cover, gorgonians, or coral. Most exhibit omnivorous food habits, feeding on a great variety of benthic animal and plant life.

There are approximately 95 species from 31 genera worldwide; the majority are confined to cooler waters of temperate and subtropical seas. In our area there are three species, two circumtropical and one Indo-Pacific.

References

• Allen , G.R. and Robertson, D.R., 1994., Fishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific., Crawford House Press Pty Ltd:1-332.
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• Rosenblatt , R.H. , McCosker , J.E. and Rubinoff, I., 1972., Indo-west Pacific fishes from the Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama., Contrib. Sci. Nat. Hist. Mus. Los Angeles Co., 234:18pp.
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