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.
A Lateral view of Beaked Leatherjacket
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
Alternative Name/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.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
Distribution by collection data
Ozcam map of Beaked Leatherjacket specimens in the Australian Museum.
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
- Order:
- Tetraodontiformes
- 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.
Mark McGrouther
, Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:
Tags fishes, ichthyology, Monacanthidae, Beaked Leatherjacket, Oxymonacanthus longirostris, green, flatfish, < 10 cm, spots, coral reef, marine, yellow spots, dark spot on caudal fin, long snout, small upturned mouth,
