Acanthaluteres spilomelanurus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)
Bridled leatherjacket
Acanthaluteres spilomelanurus
photo by Yau, B.

Family:  Monacanthidae (Filefishes)
Max. size:  14 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27-34; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 26-32. Ventral flap moderately large with minute, indistinct ventral fin rudiment. Caudal fin rounded, fan-like in adults. Males with distinct blue lines, females brownish with pale spotting. Small juveniles green with white longitudinal band.
Biology:  Primarily found in estuaries, schooling over seagrass beds and in Sargassum seaweed areas (Ref. 9002).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 July 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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