Animal Species:Rhinoceros Leatherjacket, Pseudalutarius nasicornis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850)

Alternative Name/s

Rhino File-fish, Rhinoceros Filefish

Identification

The species is best recognised by the placement of the first dorsal spine, which is well forward of the eyes. The body is cream coloured, with two dark lines on the upper half of the body. The tail has a dark spot ringed in white or cream.

Size range

The species grows to 18 cm in length.

Distribution

The species is found throughout the West-Pacific. In Australia its 'officially recorded' distribution appears to be restricted to southern Queensland and northern New South Wales although the Australian Museum collection contains specimens well outside this range.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Rhinoceros Leatherjacket specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

Allen (1997) reports that this species mainly inhabits trawl grounds to depths of 75 m.

Classification

Species:

nasicornis

Genus:

Pseudalutarius

Family:

Monancanthidae

Order:

Tetraodontiformes

Class:

Actinopterygii

Subphylum:

Vertebrata

Phylum:

Chordata

Kingdom:

Animalia

What does this mean?

References

1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Sascha Schulz
Last Updated: 21 March 2013

Tags ichthyology, Rhinoceros Leatherjacket, Pseudaluteres nasicornis, Monacanthidae, Pseudalutarius nasicornis, fishes, cream, 10 cm - 30 cm, stripes, flatfish, marine, two dark stripes on upper body,