Beaked Leatherjacket, Oxymonacanthus longirostris (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Scientific name: Oxymonacanthus longirostris
Alternative name/s:
The Beaked Leatherjacket has also been called the Harlequin Filefish and Longnose Filefish.
Beaked Leatherjacket Click to enlarge image
A lateral view of a Beaked Leatherjacket at a depth of 12 m, Wishbone Reef, Great Detached Reef, far northern Great Barrier Reef, November 2001. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Oxymonacanthus
    Species
    longirostris
    Family
    Monacanthidae
    Order
    Tetraodontiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to 9 cm in length.

Introduction

The Beaked Leatherjacket's body is green with small dark-edged yellow to orange spots with a dark spot on the caudal fin. It occurs on coral reefs of the Indo-West Pacific and is usually seen in pairs feeding on coral polyps.

Identification

The Beaked Leatherjacket has a long snout with a small upturned mouth. The body profile above and below the snout is concave. The body is green with small dark-edged yellow to orange spots. There is a dark spot on the caudal fin.

Distribution

The Beaked Leatherjacket occurs on coral reefs of the Indo-West Pacific.

In Australia it is known from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south to northern New South Wales. View an image of a fish from North West Solitary Island.

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.

Feeding and diet

The species is often seen in pairs feeding on coral polyps.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  4. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
  5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.