ANIMAL SPECIES:Scribbled Leatherjacket, Aluterus scriptus (Osbeck, 1765)
The Scribbled Leatherjacket is the longest Australian leatherjacket species, growing to 1 m in length. It occurs in tropical marine waters worldwide.
Identification
The Scribbled Leatherjacket has an elongate, compressed body. The long snout has a concave profile, both above and below. The mouth is small and upturned. The caudal fin is large and rounded. The body is yellow, brown or grey, with blue lines, and blue and black spots.
Two species of Aluterus occur in Australian waters. The second is the Unicorn Leatherjacket, Aluterus monoceros.
Size range
The Scribbled Leatherjacket grows to a total length of 1m. It is the longest Australian leatherjacket species.Distribution
The Scribbled Leatherjacket is found in tropical marine waters worldwide.
In Australia it is recorded from the south-western coast of Western Australia, around the north of the country and south to southern New South Wales.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Scribbled Leatherjacket specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
Adults live on coastal reefs in waters 20 m or more in depth. Juveniles, such as that in the images, are pelagic.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
It eats a range of foods including algae, seagrasses, certain soft corals and anemones.
Other behaviours and adaptations
Juveniles often swim in a vertical, head-down position with drifting vegetation, which they presumably mimic.
Classification
- Species:
- scriptus
- Genus:
- Aluterus
- Family:
- Monacanthidae
- Order:
- Tetraodontiformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557. (as Scrawled Leatherjacket).
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