Radial Filefish/Radial Leatherjacket

ANIMAL:
Radial Filefish/Radial Leatherjacket Acreichthys radiatus

Type of Animal:
Filefish

Habitat:
Reefs & reef-associated waters

Location(s):
W Pacific

Appearance:
Small filefish species w/ cryptic markings often looking like soft coral, usually soft brown in coloration w/ white lines radiating from eye onto head/frontal area & white bands/alternating broken lines on rear. Males have bristle patches on each side of tail base. They can change color depending on mood/environment, turning brown, tan, cream, green, and/or blue.

Food/Diet:
Coral tissue, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, coral polyps, copepods, zooplankton, Daphnia, krill

Status in Wild:
Stable

Conservation:
Breeding in aquaculture & aquariums. Captive-breeding reducing demand for wild-caught fish.

Lifestyle:
Small schools of 2-10 fish or solitary

Additional Info:

Called:
Male
Female
Young: Fry
Group: School
 
Weight:
Male: 6.4 oz
Female: 5.9 oz
 
Gestation:
3 days 

Life Span:
4 years

Body Length:
Male: 0.9-1.9 in
Female: 0.8-1.3 in

These fish not common in aquarium trade.
 
They’re masters of camouflage.
 
Females guard nest sites, chasing away other fish as well as human hands that get too close.
 
These fish are shy & docile but also show lots of curiosity.
 
Also called Radiated Filefish, Radiated Leatherjacket, Flower-Coral Filefish, Flower-Coral Leatherjacket, & Indo-Australian Filefish.
 
They have symbiotic relationship w/ soft corals, which they use for protection.
 
Large rotating eyes help track any potential food items as well as potential predators & surrounding animals, including people in vicinity.
 
Typically spawn in/under algae clumps, especially among soft corals.

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