HomeMarine aquarium fishTriggers, puffers & boxfishRedtail filefish Redtail filefish (Pervagor melanocephalus) Scientific name: Pervagor melanocephalus Bleeker, 1853 The Redtail filefish (Pervagor melanocephalus) is a marine fish of the family Monacanthidae. Native range: Indo-West Pacific. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 1 - 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 30-33; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 27 - 30. Blackish brown or bluish black head and anterior portion of body, rest of the body orange. A black blotch surrounding the gill opening. Caudal fin orange; soft dorsal and anal fins yellow; first dorsal spine blackish brown. Pelvic rudiment large not broadly attached to posterior margin of ventral flap. Scale ridge rugosities of male usually develop at about 65 mm SL. Scale spinulation on midbody not closely packed.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific namePervagor melanocephalusFamilyMonacanthidae (Filefishes)OrderTetraodontiformes (Puffers and Filefishes)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length16.0Depth range20–40 m (66–131 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 20 - 40 m, usually 20 - ? mClimateTropicalDistributionIndo-West Pacific.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More triggers, puffers & boxfishWhite-banded triggerfishRhinecanthus aculeatusFantail filefishPervagor spilosomaCaribbean sharpnose-pufferCanthigaster rostrataHoneycomb cowfishAcanthostracion polygoniusSpotted trunkfishLactophrys bicaudalisSargassum triggerfishXanthichthys ringensSee all triggers, puffers & boxfish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026