ANIMAL SPECIES:Beaked Leatherjacket, Oxymonacanthus longirostris (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
The Beaked Leatherjacket's body is green with small dark-edged yellow to orange spots with a dark spot on the caudal fin. It occurs on coral reefs of the Indo-West Pacific and is usually seen in pairs feeding on coral polyps.
Alternative Names/s
The Beaked Leatherjacket has also been called the Harlequin Filefish and Longnose Filefish.Identification
The Beaked Leatherjacket has a long snout with a small upturned mouth. The body profile above and below the snout is concave. The body is green with small dark-edged yellow to orange spots. There is a dark spot on the caudal fin.
Size range
It grows to 9 cm in length.Distribution
The Beaked Leatherjacket occurs on coral reefs of the Indo-West Pacific.
In Australia it is known from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south to northern New South Wales. View an image of a fish from North West Solitary Island.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Beaked Leatherjacket specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
The species is often seen in pairs feeding on coral polyps.
Other behaviours and adaptations
The species is often seen in pairs feeding on coral polyps.
Classification
- Species:
- longirostris
- Genus:
- Oxymonacanthus
- Family:
- Monacanthidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
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A Lateral view of Beaked Leatherjacket View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
A Beaked Leatherjacket at the Great Barrier Reef View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
A Beaked Leatherjacket View full size
Ian Shaw
© Ian Shaw
Beaked Leatherjackets at northern Great Barrier Reef View full size
Ákos Lumnitzer
© Ákos Lumnitzer
A Beaked Leatherjacket collected on the Mindoro Island View full size
Mark McGrouther
© Australian Museum
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