Unicorn leatherjacket

Taxobox
name = Unicorn leatherjacket
status =

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regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Tetraodontiformes
familia = Monacanthidae
genus = "Aluterus"
species = "A. monoceros"
binomial = "Aluterus monoceros"
binomial_authority = (Linnaeus, 1758)

The unicorn leatherjacket, "Aluterus monoceros", is a filefish of the family Monacanthidae, found circumglobally in subtropical oceans between latitudes 43° N and 35° S, at depths down to 50 m. Its length is up to 76 cm.

The unicorn leatherjacket has a rudimentary pelvic spine which disappears in large specimens. The snout is convex in adults. Occasionally found in shallow water by steep drop-offs. Solitary or in pairs, occasionally in groups of five or six, at less than 10 m depth. Juveniles are pelagic, seen under floating objects. They feed on benthic organisms.

Coloration is sandy to grey with small brown spots above, the soft dorsal and anal fins are pale yellowish to brownish, and the caudal membrane is blackish brown.

References

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