Page 28 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2021

LEISURE
GET TO KNOW THE GULF:
Scrawled Filefish
CLASSIFICATION CLASS: Teleosti (bony fish) FAMILY: Monacanthidae GENUS: Aluterus‍ SPECIES: scriptus
2100 E. Beach Blvd., Gulfport 228.241.1300 www.msaquarium.org
28 | July 2021
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• Scrawled filefish (Aluterus scriptus) are named for the bright blue markings that run across their bodies.
• They are commonly found in shallow waters (3-20m) and are also associated with Sargassum, or floating mats of brown algae that
most people call seaweed.
• The scrawled filefish, along with several other species, use these
mats as both a source of food as well as protection from predators. • The scrawled filefish has no pelvic fin, but has two particular
dorsal spines.
• Juvenile scrawled filefish have a yellow with black spots
body coloration.
• The scrawled filefish is by nature a shy fish and is usually found
alone or isolating from other fish.
• The scrawled filefish eats small shrimp and other crustaceans
and even fire coral.
Fun Facts