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Cantherhines macrocerus, commonly known as the whitespotted filefish, American whitespotted filefish, or whitespotted limefish, is a marine fish found along the coast of Florida extending southward into the Caribbean. This species is distinct and separate from Cantherhines dumerilii, the similarly named whitespotted filefish which is found in the Indian and Pacific oceans.
| Cantherhines macrocerus | |
|---|---|
| |
| American whitespotted filefish, Cantherhines macrocerus | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Tetraodontiformes |
| Family: | Monacanthidae |
| Genus: | Cantherhines |
| Species: | C. macrocerus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cantherhines macrocerus (Hollard, 1853)
| |
Description
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The American whitespotted filefish typically has a brown or olive colored body, although it may also be grey. These fish can rapidly change appearance to a high contrast color pattern with a much darker background and many light colored spots[2] With a maximum length of around 18 inches, they are smaller than the scrawled filefish which is also found in their range. The American whitespotted filefish is often seen in pairs.
Diet
editThese fish are omnivorous; although they eat animals like sponges, stinging coral and gorgonians, and algae.[3]
As aquarium fish
editThe American whitespotted filefish can be kept in large aquariums. These fish are non-aggressive, need plenty of places to hide, and will eat brine shrimp, krill and algae.[4]
References
edit- ^ Carpenter, K.E; Robertson, R.; Tyler, J. (2015). "Cantherhines macrocerus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T16430203A16510357.
- ^ "What Types of Reef Fish Are Found in Florida and the Caribbean?". Archived from the original on 2014-07-10. Retrieved 2014-07-21.
- ^ "Marine Species Identification Portal : Whitespotted filefish - Cantherhines macrocerus". Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- ^ "SaltyTank - White Spotted Filefish, Cantherhines macrocerus Profile, facts & care information". Retrieved 8 September 2014.
External links
edit- "Whitespotted Filefish - Cantherhines macrocerus - Filefishes - - Tropical Reefs". - ReefGuide's whitespotted filefish photos showing animals with and without spots
- "Marine Species Identification Portal : Whitespotted filefish - Cantherhines macrocerus".
- Photos of Cantherhines macrocerus on Sealife Collection
