Blacksaddle Filefish, Paraluteres prionurus (Bleeker, 1851)

Scientific name: Paraluteres prionurus
Alternative name/s:
Mimic Filefish, Mimic Leatherjacket.
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther, Sascha Schulz
  • Updated
    25/01/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Paraluteres prionurus Click to enlarge image
Above and below: A Mimic Leatherjacket also known as a Blacksaddle filefish, at a depth of 15m, "Pixie's Pinnacle", Ribbon Reef #10, Great Barrier Reef off Cooktown, Queensland, June 2002. Image: E. Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Paraluteres
    Species
    prionurus
    Family
    Monacanthidae
    Order
    Tetraodontiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 11 cm in length.

Introduction

The Blacksaddle Filefish mimics the poisonous Blacksaddle Toby, Canthigaster valentini.

Identification

The Blacksaddle Filefish is white with dark brown bars. It has two pairs of spines on the caudal peduncle.

The species can be distinguished from the Blacksaddle Toby by comparing their dorsal fins. The Blacksaddle Filefish has two dorsal fins, while the Blacksaddle Toby has only one. The second dorsal fin and anal fin are long-based (22-28 rays) in the Blacksaddle Filefish but short-based (9 rays) in the Blacksaddle Toby.

Distribution

The Blacksaddle Filefish occurs throughout tropical Indo-Pacific waters. In Australian it is found from Ashmore reef off north-western Western Australia, around the tropical north and south to the southern coast of New South Wales.

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.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. 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.
  3. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  4. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.