Paraluteres prionurus
Blacksaddle Filefish
©Lyle Vail: Paraluteres prionurus at the base of the exposed reef slope between Bird and South Islands, Lizard Island Group. Note the long base of the dorsal fin, especially visible on the lower individual.
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Tetraodontiformes
Family
Monacanthidae
Genus
Paraluteres
Species
Paraluteres prionurus
Colours
Distinguishing features
White with brown spots and four dark bars, the middle two extending to the lower sides. Dorsal fin has very long base, extending from mid-back to tail peduncle.
Size
- Up to 10 cm (Length)
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Similar taxa
-
Animalia:
Blacksaddle Toby (species: Canthigaster valentini)
Base of dorsal fin is very short.
Interesting facts
- This species mimics the toxic Blacksaddle Toby, Canthigaster valentini
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Local abundance
- Lizard Island: Possibly quite common but mistaken for Blacksaddle Toby, Canthigaster valentini.
Web resources
References
- Caley, M.J. (1995). Reef fish community structure and dynamics: in interaction between local and larger-scale processes? Marine Ecology Progress Series, 129: 19-29. LIRS catalog number 448.
- Caley, M.J. and D. Schluter (2003). Predators favour mimicry in a tropical reef fish, Proceedings of the Royal Society, London, B, 270: 667-672. LIRS catalog number 813.
- Cheney, K.L. and N.J. Marshall (2009). Mimicry in coral reef fish: how accurate is this deception in terms of color and luminance? Behavioral Ecology, 20: 459-477. LIRS catalog number 1249.
- View all references