Cantherhines macrocerus
| American whitespotted filefish | |
|---|---|
 | |
| American whitespotted filefish, Cantherhines macrocerus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Tetraodontiformes |
| Family: | Monacanthidae |
| Genus: | Cantherhines |
| Species: | C. macrocerus |
| Binomial name | |
| Cantherhines macrocerus (Hollard, 1853) | |
Cantherhines macrocerus, commonly known as the whitespotted filefish or American whitespotted filefish, is a marine fish found along the coast of Florida extending southward into the Caribbean. This species is distinct and separate from Cantherhines dumerilii, the similarly named whitespotted filefish which is found in the Indian and Pacific oceans.
Description
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The American whitespotted filefish typically has a brown or olive colored body, although it may also be grey. These fish can rapidly change appearance to a high contrast color pattern with a much darker background and many light colored spots[1] With a maximum length of around 18 inches, they are smaller than the scrawled filefish which is also found in their range. The American whitespotted filefish is often seen in pairs.
Diet
These fish are omnivorous; although they eat animals like sponges, stinging coral and gorgonians, and algae.[2]
As aquarium fish
The American whitespotted filefish can be kept in large aquariums. These fish are non-aggressive, need plenty of places to hide, and will eat brine shrimp, krill and algae.[3]
References
- ↑ Reef-Fish-Identification-Guide-20-Common-Species-Of-Florida-And-The-Caribbean_17.htm
- ↑ "Marine Species Identification Portal : Whitespotted filefish - Cantherhines macrocerus". Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- ↑ "SaltyTank - White Spotted Filefish, Cantherhines macrocerus Profile, facts & care information". Retrieved 8 September 2014.
External links
- ReefGuide's whitespotted filefish photos showing animals with and without spots
- Reef Fish - 20 common species of Florida WhiteSpotted Filefish
- Marine Species Identification Portal - Whitespotted Filefish
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cantherhines macrocerus. |