The Filefish

The first time I saw the scrawled filefish, Aluterus scriptus, I became completely enamored with its bizarre appearance and the way it turned on its side to look right at me. At maturation the scrawled filefish is olive to grey in color with distinct, irregular blue spots as well as small black lines and spots. They have an elongated body, which can grow up to 43 inches. They are a subtropical fish that are found along reef ledges and drop-offs in coastal reef environments. They graze on invertebrates and algae; they avoid predation by mimicking plants by swimming head-down. The filefish are also able to change their pattern and colors, which I was able to witness when I tried to approach it. The filefish are preyed by mainly larger fish; however, they are eaten by humans, but usually are just taken to be aquarium fish. 

 

Aluterus scriptus

Sources:

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/gallery/Descript/ScrawledFilefish/scrawledfilefish.html

http://www.whatsthatfish.com/fish/scrawled-filefish/124