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Tetraodontiformes (Puffers and filefishes) >
Monacanthidae (Filefishes)
Etymology: Pervagor: Latin, pervagor = nomadic, itinerant.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 25 m (Ref. 9710). Tropical; 31°N - 23°S
Indo-West Pacific: Mauritius, Christmas Island, southern Japan, Marcus Islands, southern Taiwan, Australia, New Caledonia, Marshall Islands, Johnston Island, and Hawaiian Islands; distribution anti-equatorial. Recently reported from Tonga (Ref. 53797). Replaced by Pervagor marginalis in the Line and Marquesas Islands (Ref. 37816).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 13.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 30874)
Dorsal spines (total): 1 - 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 31 - 35; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 28 - 32. First dorsal spine strong. Posterior margin of ventral flap narrowly attached to large pelvic fin rudiment. Scale spinulation in midbody not closely packed. Body and head color variable; orange to brown iris; caudal fin yellow or orange; soft dorsal and anal fins clear to yellowish; spinous dorsal dark brown to brownish orange; pectorals clear. Numerous spots in head and body appear as dashes or lines Male scale ridge rugosities usually develop at about 60 mm SL.
Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
Inhabits clear lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Solitary among coral and rubble (Ref. 90102). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Hutchins, J.B., 1986. Review of the monacanthid fish genus Pervagor, with descriptions of two new species. Indo-Pac. Fish. (12):35 p. (Ref. 527)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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