Aspect: |
Typical filefish outline with heavy "keel" under a very narrow body, massive overhead spine (usually folded backwards), and fast back- positioned translucent dorsal fin mirroring anal fin. Colours, however vary dramatically depending on phase (Black when juvenile, then spotted, and finally non-spotted) as shown in these pictures. However, it can turn totally black under certain (unclear) circumstances, with fins remaining translucent yellow. Display an impressive row of frontal teeth.
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Population: |
Common.
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Notable feature: |
Always features four golden studs on each side of tail root sides, whatever the phase.
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Environment: |
Near bottom, around coral mounds, often in couples. Feeds on algae, sponges and coral. |
Behaviour: |
Easily approched, actually curious.
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