Description
Picture of Blacksaddle filefish. Paraluteres prionurus. Taken at Tasik Ria, Manado, Indonesia.
Date October 2006
Author Jens Petersen
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paraluteres_prionurus2.JPG

The blacksaddle filefish (Paraluteres prionurus), also known as hooked filefish or false puffer, is a filefish of the family Monacanthidae. It reaches a length of a maximum 11 cm. The blacksaddle filefish are found in pairs or in small schools and inhabit reefs across the Indian and Pacific oceans. Coloration is sandy to grey with distinctive black "saddles" on the back and a yellow tail. The blacksaddle filefish has evolved to mimic Canthigaster valentini, a highly poisonous pufferfish commonly found where ever P. prionurus is found. The two species have been known to school together. Common Names: False Puffer, Mimic Filefish, Blacksaddle Mimic, Black-saddled Leatherjacket, Blacksaddle Filefish, Mimic Leatherjacket. Order: Tetraodontiformes, Family: Monacanthidae, Genus: Paraluteres, Species: Paraluteres prionurus (Bleeker, 1851)