Whitespotted Filefish

The Whitespotted Filefish is a large, handsome Atlantic species characterized by its deep, compressed body adorned with scattered white spots over an olive-brown to dark brown base. Two prominent pairs of spines are present near the tail base, and the first dorsal spine can be erected as a locking mechanism for wedging into crevices, a defensive behavior shared by all filefish. Its rough, leather-like skin gives it a distinctive texture that is characteristic of the Monacanthidae family.

In the wild, the Whitespotted Filefish inhabits coral reefs and rocky ledges throughout the western Atlantic, from Florida and the Bahamas through the Caribbean. It is often seen in pairs hovering near gorgonians, sponges, and coral heads, feeding on a wide variety of sessile invertebrates. This species is particularly fond of sponges, tunicates, gorgonians, and algae, making it a generalist feeder with a broad palate.

In the aquarium, the Whitespotted Filefish requires a large system due to its substantial adult size of up to 18 inches. It is a peaceful species that rarely bothers fish tankmates but will eagerly consume invertebrates of all kinds, making it completely unsuitable for reef aquariums. Its hardy constitution and willingness to accept a wide range of prepared and frozen foods make it relatively easy to maintain for aquarists with sufficiently large systems. This species does well in fish-only or FOWLR setups with other peaceful to moderately aggressive Atlantic species.