Common name : Prickly leather-jacket,
Tasselled leather-jacket, Leafy filefish
Scientific name : Chaetodermis pencilligerus
Family : Monacanthidae
Native to : Indo-Pacific Ocean
Interesting fact : The tassle filefish drifts with its head downward in an attempt to befool predators and prey.
Conservation status : Not Evaluated
The tassle filefish is well camouflaged with its laterally compressed body and horizontal light and dark stripes. The edges have dermal, tassle-like appendages that add to the camouflage. These fish live in lagoons and coastal areas with seagrass beds. It is a diurnal, solitary fish that grows up to 31 cm long. They are omnivores feeding on small fish, shrimp, invertebrates and algae.
