Orange filefish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Orange filefish |
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The orange filefish (scientific name: Aluterus schoepfii) is a fascinating type of fish. It belongs to the Monacanthidae family, often called filefish. Sometimes, it's also grouped with the Balistidae family, which are triggerfish. These fish can grow up to about 62 centimeters (24 inches) long. However, most of them are usually around 40 centimeters (16 inches).
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What Makes the Orange Filefish Special?
Orange filefish have some unique features that help you spot them. They have two strong spines on their back fin. They also have many soft rays on their back and bottom fins. Their body is covered with lots of small, round spots. These spots are usually bright orange or orange-yellow. You might also notice that their lips are often a bit dark or blackish.
Where Do Orange Filefish Live?
Orange filefish are found in the Western Atlantic Ocean. Their home stretches from Nova Scotia in the north, down to Bermuda. They also live in the northern Gulf of Mexico and all the way to Brazil. You can also find them in the Eastern Atlantic. Here, they live from Cape Blanc and Mauritania down to Angola.
Orange Filefish Environment
These fish live close to the ocean floor. They can be found in waters from about 3 meters (10 feet) deep. Sometimes, they are even found as deep as 900 meters (2,950 feet)! They prefer warmer, subtropical waters. You can find them in areas between 46°N and 33°S latitudes.
Where Do Orange Filefish Hang Out?
Orange filefish usually swim alone or in pairs. They like to stay near the bottom of the sea. Their favorite spots include areas with sea grass, sand, or mud. Young orange filefish, called juveniles, often hang out near floating Sargassum seaweed. This seaweed helps them hide and find food.
What Do Orange Filefish Eat?
Orange filefish are plant-eaters. They munch on different kinds of aquatic plants. Their diet includes various types of sea grasses and algae.
Orange Filefish and Humans
Orange filefish are not usually caught for food. People in Brazil sometimes trade these fish to be kept as aquarium fish. It's important to know that these fish can carry a natural toxin. This toxin can cause a type of food poisoning if someone eats the fish. So, it's best not to eat them.
How to Tell Similar Fish Apart
The dotterel filefish looks a lot like the orange filefish. However, the dotterel filefish has a longer tail fin. It also does not have the orange spots that the orange filefish has. The orange filefish is different from other triggerfishes because it only has two spines on its back fin. Other triggerfishes usually have more.
