Monacanthus tuckeri

Behavior:

Slender filefish are typically found hiding among the branches of gorgonians. During the day, they feed on worms, crabs and zooplankton. At night, they wedge themselves into soft coral with their dorsal spine and stomach appendage, sometimes biting on a coral polyp while sleeping.

Predators:

Grouper and barracuda.

Did you know?

Slender filefish are masters of camouflage, capable of changing color and texture in seconds. They even have skin outgrowths called dermal flaps, which resemble coral polyps and algae, which allow them to blend into their environment better.