Hajam Filefish

Acreichthys hajam is a species of marine fish belonging to the family Monacanthidae (filefishes), within the genus Acreichthys native to tropical Indo-West Pacific waters.

Description

Like other members of the genus Acreichthys, it features a compressed, flattened body, rough skin characteristic of filefishes, and a prominent erectile spine located on the head above the eyes for defense and posture displays. Visually, it is distinguished from Acreichthys tomentosus by its distinct coloration and pattern, typically displaying a bright yellow-green or yellowish base tone overlaid with a marbled, reticulated network of pale lines, lacking the dense matted texture of tiny white spinules seen in A. tomentosus.

Distribution

It is distributed across the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific region, with documented observations and records in Southeast Asian waters, including the Philippines and Indonesia.

Habitat

It inhabits shallow tropical marine environments, including coral reef areas, rubble bottoms, and sandy substrates, where its coloration provides effective camouflage against detection by predators.

Diet

As a member of the Monacanthidae family, its feeding ecology involves browsing on small benthic organisms, microalgae, and associated small invertebrates found in its natural habitat.