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Fish Guide |  |
Family: Monacanthidae (Filefishes)
Natural Range: Tropical Seas Worldwide
Depth: 10 to 394 ft. Size: 40 in. Jumps: No Space: 180+ gal.
Reef Safe: Caution Care Level: Moderate Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Algae, seagrass, hydrozoans, gorgonians, anemones, tunicates
Natural History: The Scribbled Filefish is found individually on lagoons and outer reefs. Juveniles are often observed beneath floating objects whereas adults are generally observed on outer reef dropoffs. Due to the habit of juveniles travelling with floating wee rafts, they are circumtropical. They are reported to be curious enough to follow divers about on a reef. They can move their eyes independently of one another.
Husbandry: The Scribbled Filefish is unaggressive toward unrelated species but aggressive toward its own. It may nip at the polyps of stony corals and anemones, especially if underfed. It is known to feed on some species of soft corals, such as gorgonians. This species grows to a very large size on the reef, but will likely only reach 20 or so inches in captivity.
AKA: Scribbled Leatherjacket Filefish