Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Monacanthidae
- Genus
- Aluterus
- Species
- scriptus
Habitat
Scrawled filefish inhabit tropical and subtropical marine waters, commonly found around coral reefs, rocky outcrops, and seagrass beds. They prefer depths from 10 to 100 meters and are often seen in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, avoiding very turbid or cold waters.
Diet
Scrawled filefish primarily feed on algae, seagrasses, and benthic invertebrates such as tunicates, sponges, and small crustaceans. They graze during the day, using their small, beak-like mouths to scrape food from surfaces, and may forage alone or in small groups near reefs.
Behavior
Scrawled filefish are generally solitary and territorial, defending small areas around feeding sites. They are diurnal, active during the day for foraging and resting at night in crevices or among corals. These fish can change color slightly for camouflage and are known to be cautious, often fleeing quickly when threatened.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.