Saltwaterfish. Filefishes. Aluterus scriptus is a medium size fish which can grow up to 90 cm in length. Its background body colouration is olive-brown or grey depending on its surrounding environment, irregular blue lines and spots are distributed on the body mixed with some black spots mainly on the head. The mouth is small and at the end of its pointed snout. Like all the Tetraodontiformes, it has no pelvic fin but has two particular dorsal spines; the first anterior one is long, slender and erectile, located just over the eyes, the second is small and not easy to see but it locks the first one when it is erected. The rounded caudal fin is quite long and can be displayed as a fan. The juveniles have a yellow with black spots body colouration

- Whitespotted Filefish Cantherhines macrocerus

Size: 30 to 60 cm, max 90 cm.
Colour: Body coloration is olive-brown or grey depending on its surrounding environment, irregular blue lines and spots are distributed on the body mixed with some black spots mainly on the head.
Shape: The body shape looks like an elongated oval, strongly compressed. The mouth is small and at the end of its pointed snout.

Inhabits coral reefs. Shallow reefs where it is often seen alone, drifting over the reefs or hiding between the gorgonians. Shy and difficult to approach.

BES-eilanden: St. Eustatius.

[Niels Schrieken, march 2015]

- DeLoach, N., & Humann, P. (2002). Reef Fish Identification - Florida Caribbean Bahamas - 3th Edition. New World Publications, Inc.

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