Unicorn leatherjacket filefish (Aluterus monoceros) fish species and information / pictures of Unicorn leatherjacket filefish - Aluterus monoceros

Unicorn leatherjacket filefish (Aluterus monoceros) fish species information

Scientific Name
Aluterus monoceros

Common Name
Unicorn leatherjacket filefish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 45-52; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 47 - 53. Rudimentary pelvic spine disappears in large specimen (Ref. 36453). Snout convex in adults (Ref. 1602). Sandy to grey with small brown spots above; soft dorsal and anal fins pale yellowish to brownish; caudal membrane blackish brown (Ref. 4421).

Classification

Classified By
Linnaeus, 1758
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Puffers and Filefishes (Tetraodontiformes)
Family
Filefishes (Monacanthidae)

Distribution

Region
Circumtropical. Western Atlantic
Distribution
Circumtropical. Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA to Argentina (Ref. 36453). Eastern Atlantic: west coast of tropical Africa (Ref. 3592). Eastern Pacific: Guatemala to Chile (Ref. 9068); probably in Mexico (Ref. 9318). Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique and South Africa (Ref. 4421). Recently recorded from Reunion (Ref. 53568).
Range
43°N - 35°S

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
1 m
Depth To - meters
50 m
Zone
reef-associated
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 50 m (Ref. 3592)
Trophic Level
3.51 s.e. 0.51 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
True
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
76.2 cm
Common Length
40.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5312 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: commercial
Vulnerability
High vulnerability (63 of 100)
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)
Threat To Humans
  Reports of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 30911)
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated