© Roger RittmasterCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist
Barred Filefish
Cantherhines dumerilii
Japanese Leatherjacket (male)
Paramonacanthus japonicus
- Max size
- View in app
- Max depth
- 46 m
- Found in
- 21 regions
How to recognise it
- Colours
- whitebrown
- Pattern
- Blotches or dots, Horizontal markings
Paramonacanthus japonicus is a filefish from the Indo-West Pacific. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade.
Description
It grows to a size of 12 cm in length. It camouflages with the sand upon the ocean floor.
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 24-30; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 24 - 30; Vertebrae: 19. body width 2.0-2.6 in head length; body depth 2.0-3.1 in SL, head length 2.7-3.2 in SL; snout length 3.7-4.1 in SL; eye diameter 2.7-3.7 in head length; second dorsalmost caudal ray elongate and filamentous in male.
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: southern Japan and northwest Australia to Papua New Guinea.
Habitat
Inhabits weedy and sandy areas of coastal reefs. Found on open muddy substrates from shallow estuaries to deep offshore. Males elongate with age. Monogamous.
Similar species
© Roger RittmasterCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist 
© Stas KuryanAll rights reserved
Bristle-tail Leatherjacket
Acreichthys tomentosus
Hajam Filefish
Acreichthys hajam
Japanese Inflator Filefish
Brachaluteres ulvarum
Japanese Leatherjacket (juvenile)
Paramonacanthus japonicus
© Lawrence HyltonCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist
Leafy Filefish
Chaetodermis penicilligerus
Questions
Is Japanese Leatherjacket (male) dangerous?
Japanese Leatherjacket (male) has no known danger to humans. However, always observe marine life responsibly.
Where can you find Japanese Leatherjacket (male)?
How deep does Japanese Leatherjacket (male) live?
Japanese Leatherjacket (male) can be found at depths of up to 46 meters.
