Oxymonacanthus longirostris

(Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Vernacular names
English : Harlequin filefish
French : Poisson lime à taches oranges

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Tetraodontiformes
Family : Monacanthidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Elongated, laterally-compressed body with long tubular snout. Coloration turquoise green with numerous squarish to round orange spots. Yellow unbroken area from middle snout to dorsal spine.

Range and habitat
Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to Samoa, Ryukyu Islands and New Caledonia. Found on coral reefs, at base of dead corals, amongst clumps of algae, in clear lagoons and seaward reefs.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a large range but is entirely dependent on Acropora corals as its only food source. Local extinctions linked to coral extinctions have occurred. Caught for trade but captive breeding results should slow this trend.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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