Pervagor aspricaudus

Pervagor aspricaudus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Division: Teleostei
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Monacanthidae
Genus: Pervagor
Species:
P. aspricaudus
Binomial name
Pervagor aspricaudus
Hollard, 1854
Synonyms[1]
  • Monacanthus aspricaudus Hollard, 1854
  • Monacanthus rubricauda Bliss, 1883
  • Pervagor melanocephalus johnstonensis Woods, 1966

Pervagor aspricaudus, also called orangetail filefish, is a marine fish in the family Monacanthidae.[2][1] Its most striking feature derives from the vibrant colors of blue gray ombre, following a fade to an orange yellow on its fin, that gleam underwater.[3]

Description

Pervagor aspricaudus has spots on its head, seemingly followed by patterns of dashes throughout its physique. Followed by the vibrant shades of colors from its head to fin, the spinous dorsal fin are in the shades of orange and brown.[4] Its photoreceptor pigment have a sensitive cone λmax at 404 nm, allowing it to see short-wavelength light and colors that cannot be observed by humans.[5] It feeds on small invertebrates, zooplanktons and zoobenthos.[6]

Distribution and habitat

The orangetail filefish is found in the Indo-West Pacific, including the Hawaiian islands, Japan, Australia, and Christmas Island. Recently it has also been seen near Tonga.[7] It resides in transparent coastal and ocean-facing reefs at depths of 1–25 m (3.3–82.0 ft).[4]

Human use

Due to its striking colors and usually calm behavior, the orangetail filefish is sometimes chosen for marine aquariums.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 "Pervagor aspricaudus (Hollard, 1854)". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 2026-07-07.
  2. ↑ Bailly N (ed.). "Pervagor aspricaudus (Hollard, 1854)". FishBase. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2026-07-06.
  3. 1 2 "Orangetail Filefish :: 16515". Quality Marine. Retrieved 2026-08-07.
  4. 1 2 "Pervagor aspricaudus". fishesofaustralia.net.au. Archived from the original on 2025-04-23. Retrieved 2026-08-07.
  5. ↑ G.S. Losey, W.N. McFarland, E.R. Loew, J.P Zamzow, P.A Nelson, N.J. Marshall. "Visual Biology of Hawaiian Coral Reef Fishes. I. Ocular Transmission and Visual Pigments".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ "Pervagor aspricaudus Orangetail Filefish, Orangetail Leatherjacket , Yellowtail Filefish". www.reeflex.net. Retrieved 2026-08-07.
  7. ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Pervagor aspricaudus". FishBase. August 2026 version.