WTF? (WHAT’S THAT FISH) 5: THE FILEFISH
The jocularly-named WTF? series is designed to shed an underwater spotlight on some of the odder denizens of the coral reefs and surrounding waters. I don’t want to earn a reputation for being ‘lookist’, but frankly the appearance of some of these creatures – I give you BATFISH or FROGFISH or REMORAS as examples – is baffling. The filefish group is not as extreme as some in the downright weird category, but if you see one you might just find yourself muttering into your facemask “wtf?”
Filefish (Monacanthidae) are found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. They are related to triggerfish, trunkfish and pufferfish, and have regional names that include leatherjacket, foolfish, and shingle. There are more than 100 species of filefish, of which only a few are found in Bahamian waters. The species featured here are a mix of scrawled, white-spotted and orange-spotted filefish.
HOW DID THEY GET THE NAME?
In the image above, you can just see a flattened spine on top, above the eye and pointing backwards. This is the ‘retracted’ state. There is a small secondary spine that serves to prop up the main spine when it is in the upright position. This is it seems, the file – although the Greek-derived family name Monacanthidae literally means ‘one thorn’. So why isn’t it a thornfish, you may well ask. And I may well not respond.
This filefish’s ‘spine’ seems to have flopped over to one side
These fish have snouts with small mouths and specialized teeth with an inner and outer set on each jaw. They are to an extent shapeshifters, and can quickly make themselves appear larger for defensive purposes. In some individual species, there are marked differences in body shape and coloration.
An orange-spotted filefish with its spine erect, making for a cave – a place of safety
ARE THEY EDIBLE?
Good question. The answer, broadly is yes, though I don’t know if that applies to all species of filefish. They are certainly eaten in large quantities in the Far East. I don’t know about the Bahamas or the wider Caribbean. If anyone does, could you very kindly add a comment to this post. Recipes welcome!
All photos: Melinda Riger of Grand Bahama Scuba
ROLLING HARBOUR ABACO 
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Good show Mate! One comment: The juveniles hang under sea weed and flotsam eating small shrimps and crabs there. They, in turn become food for Mahi and other pelagic fish. The main thing with these guys is that the bigger they are, the more likely they are to be Ciguateric. Perhaps a well researched post from you on this significant, and rather under acknowledged malady could prevent many sufferings and misconceptions
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Very useful additional info, many thanks. I’ll incorporate it into the main body of the post. And a Ciguatera post – an excellent idea. Very pertinent to Abaco and the question which side is ‘safe’ and which is not. You are right though, I’ll need to find some time to look into it! Good to hear from you. RH
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The one with the floppy head spine thing also seems to have tail spines, like a surgeonfish?
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PS I can’t believe I remembered “surgeonfish” a name I learned 8 years ago and haven’t used since!
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A hugely impressive achievement. Similar to recalling ‘caudal peduncle’ (see previous post) RH
[ps only I didn’t, I came across the term while researching your Q)
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Haha nice
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Good spotting. Yes some filefish have those but I don’t think they are sharp / ‘ouchy’ like surgeonfish. I have a feeling scientists – you, perhaps? – might called it a caudal peduncle. RH
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I’m not a fishologist 😛
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They are really too pretty to eat…
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I know… and I’m not sure they look that good to eat anyway. I’d have lionfish any day!
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