Home > Fishes > Filefishes > Aluterus scriptus

Updated 6/28/2016

Family Monacanthidae

CIRCUMTROPICAL

Aluterus scriptus

Fish Hole, Midway Atoll, 30 feet

 

Juvenile, Angel Ledge, Midway Atoll, 25 feet

 

Night, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, 5 feet



Sunabe, Okinawa, 20 feet

Nanahoa, Lana'i, 50 feet

SCRAWLED or BROOMTAIL FILEFISH         loulu       Soushi-hagi

A large uncommon species of current-swept reefs and ledges where it feeds upon encrusting algae and invertebrates.  Gray with blue lines and brown spots, displaying a camouflage pattern at will.  The long tail resembles a broom and there is a single dorsal fin spine above the eyes.  Attains 30 inches.  Worldwide in warm seas.