DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

ZOOGEOGRAPHY

ECOLOGY

BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR

VALUE OF FISH RESOURCES

CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

DANGEROUS MARINE FISHES

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

BIBLIOGRAPHY

SPECIES INDEX

CHAMORRO NAMES

MONACANTHIDAE (FILEFISHES)

Paraluteres prionurus (Bleeker)
(Saddled Filefish)
SL: to 8 cm (photo: 6 cm SL, Facpi Pt., 21 m)

This species inhabits both protected and exposed reefs from 2 to at least 25 m.  It is often seen accompanying the toxic puffer Canthigaster valentini (P. 133,C) which it resembles closely in both coloration and in certain behaviors.  This is a classic case of Batesian mimicry, in which a relatively common, poisonous species (the puffer) is mimicked by a less common, non-poisonous species (the filefish).  A potential predator can't tell one from the other and avoids both.  Examination of the fins makes it possible to distinguish between these two species.

INDO-PACIFIC: W. Indian Ocean to the Marshalls, n. to s. Japan, s. to New Caledonia.