Monacanthus ciliatus
Fringed Filefish
Collection Details
Specimens
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Records
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fishes)
Tetraodontiformes (Pufferfishes and Allies)
Monacanthidae (Filefishes)
Monacanthus
Monacanthus ciliatus (Fringed Filefish)
Description
This species account was compiled from
Composite (multiple sources) (McEachran, J.D. and J.D. Fechhelm. Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico. University of Texas Press, Austin.)
and processed using AI-assisted text extraction.
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Characters
Rectilinear in profile, with prominent pelvic spine and no groove behind dorsal fin spines. Snout distinctly projects beyond remainder of head, equally concave dorsally and ventrally. Jaw teeth acutely pointed; upper jaw teeth in two rows (3 outer, 2 inner), lower jaw teeth in single row of 3. Gill opening moderately oblique, slightly longer than pectoral fin base, located above pectoral fin base. Gill rakers on first arch 15-23. Measurements (% SL): head length 29%-39%, snout length 22%-26%, eye diameter 7%-15%, body depth 39%-55%. Pectoral fin usually with 11 rays. First dorsal spine denticulate anteriorly and laterally, with retrorse spines posteriorly. Second dorsal fin with 29-37 rays. Pelvic spine distinct, flexible at base. Anal fin with 28-36 rays. Scales bear one or more spines, increasing with growth.
Tan, olive, or greenish, with broad, dark irregular stripes extending behind eye and behind gill opening.
Distribution
Western Atlantic from Newfoundland and Bermuda to Argentina, including the entire Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas, and the Antilles.
Habitat Associations
Tropical and warm temperate Atlantic Ocean to about 50 m depth. Associated with grass beds, including turtle-grass beds.
Juveniles associated with pelagic Sargassum.
Biology
Food consists of algae, organic detritus, and zooplankton.
Maximum known size is 200 mm TL.
Occurs in shallow water down to 50 m depth, over sandy and rocky bottoms, but more commonly in grass beds (Ref. 3790). Often seen moving head down among seagrass blades (Ref. 9710). The young are often associated with floating Sargassum (Ref. 3720). Feeds on plants and algae, and also on small crustaceans (Ref. 3720). Rarely consumed (Ref. 3790).
Reproductive mode: dioecism; fertilization: external. Distinct pairing (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC), assessed 2014-09-10. Resilience: High (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Commercial or Environmental Importance
Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial.
References
Longley and Hildebrand 1941
Berry and Vogele 1961
Böhlke and Chaplin 1968
Randall 1968a
Randall 1996
Hoese and Moore 1977
Hoese and Moore 1998
Robins and Ray 1986
Boschung 1992
Smith 1997
Vega-Cendejas et al. 1997
Castro-Aguirre et al. 1999
Smith-Vaniz et al. 1999
Matsuura 2002c
Randall, J.E. (1967) Food habits of reef fishes of the West Indies. Stud. Trop. Oceanogr. Miami 5:665-847.
Breder, C.M. and D.E. Rosen (1966) Modes of reproduction in fishes. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, New Jersey. 941 p.
Tyler, J.C. (1978) Monacanthidae. In W. Fischer (ed.) FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Western Central Atlantic (Fishing Area 31). Vol. 3. [pag. var.]. FAO, Rome.
Robins, C.R. and G.C. Ray (1986) A field guide to Atlantic coast fishes of North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, U.S.A. 354 p.
Randall, J.E. (1996) Caribbean reef fishes. Third Edition - revised and enlarged. T.F.H. Publications, Inc. Ltd., Hong Kong. 3nd ed. 368 p.
Uyeno, T., K. Matsuura and E. Fujii (eds.) (1983) Fishes trawled off Suriname and French Guiana. Japan Marine Fishery Resource Research Center, Tokyo, Japan. 519 p.
Figueiredo, J.L. and N.A. Menezes (2000) Manual de peixes marinhos do sudeste do Brasil. VI.Teleostei (5). Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo. Brazil. 116 p.
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