Chaetodermis penicilligerus (Cuvier, 1816)
Prickly leatherjacket
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/B. Alenda

Family:  Monacanthidae (Filefishes)
Max. size:  31 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 25 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Indo-Malayan region to Australia, north to Japan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-26; Anal soft rays: 23-24. Description: Characterized by mottled brown color with wavy brown, horizontal lines on side; origin of first dorsal spine slightly behind eye; concave dorsal and ventral profile of snout; depth of body at origin of anal fin about 1.4 in SL; scattered blunt and pointed barbs and branched fleshy skin flaps on first dorsal spine; presence of numerous large, densely branched dermal flaps around dorsal and ventral profile of head and body; small and fan-shaped pectoral fins; more or less rounded caudal fin (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Often found in weedy areas of coastal reefs (Ref. 9710) and trawling grounds. The flesh is good for human consumption.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 July 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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