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.
