Saltwater
Fringed filefish
Monacanthus ciliatus
Monacanthidae
Facts
Characteristics
- Length
- Up to 20 cm
- Body shape
- Deep-bodied
Care
- Group
- Missing
- Smallest aquarium
- 192 liters
- Diet
- Missing
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Behavior
Water values
Smallest tank
Range
Native
Lives wild in Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, and 33 more countries.
More about the species
Description
Occurs in shallow water down to 50 m depth, over sandy and rocky bottoms, but more commonly in grass beds. Often seen moving head down among seagrass blades. The young are often associated with floating Sargassum. Feeds on plants and algae, and also on small crustaceans. Rarely consumed.
Other names
Other scientific names
- Balistes ciliatus
- Monacanthus davidsonii
- Monacanthus occidentalis
- Monacanthus piraaca
- Monocanthus ciliatus
In other languages
- Cuckold, Fringed Fiiefish, Leather-fish
Articles
All articles
How to add new fish4 min read
From the store to the tank: how to get the fish used to your water, why you should add only a few at a time, and what to watch for in the first few days.
Quarantine for new fish3 min read
Why new fish should live in a tank of their own for a few weeks before they move in, what you need, and what to look for.
From freshwater to saltwater3 min read
What is different in a saltwater aquarium: salt, refractometer, live rock and corals. An introduction for anyone thinking of giving it a try.