Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Albuliformes
- Family
- Acanthuridae
- Genus
- Branchiostegus
- Species
- albus
Habitat
This fish inhabits continental shelves and slopes in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, often at depths of 100-300 meters. It prefers sandy or muddy bottoms near rocky outcrops for shelter. Geographically, it is found around Japan, the East China Sea, and other parts of the western Pacific.
Diet
The white horsehead primarily feeds on benthic invertebrates such as crabs, shrimp, and worms. It forages on the seafloor by digging into the sediment, typically during daylight hours. This bottom-feeding behavior helps it locate hidden prey in its deep-water environment.
Behavior
White horsehead fish are generally solitary but may form loose aggregations around food sources or suitable habitat. They are diurnal, active during the day for feeding and resting in burrows at night. This species exhibits territorial behavior around their dens to protect against intruders.
Conservation Status
Listed as Not Evaluated by IUCN.