AMANSES SCOPAS - (CUVIER, 1829)
Actinopterygii (Gigaclass) > Actinopteri (Class) > Teleostei (Subclass) > Tetraodontiformes (Order) > Balistoidei (Suborder) > Monacanthidae (Family) > Amanses (Genus)
Broom filefish, Broom leatherjacket, Brush-sided leatherjacket, Besem-vylvis, Besen-Feilenfisch, Azamikawahagi, アザミカワハギ, 刷皮尾棘魨, 美單棘魨,
Synonymes
Amnases scopas (Cuvier, 1829)
Anamses scopas (Cuvier, 1829)
Balistes scopas (Cuvier, 1829)
Monacanthus hystrix (Burton, 1835)
Monacanthus scopas (Cuvier, 1829)
Thamnaconus penicularius (Fourmanoir, 1955)
--------------------------
Description
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26-29; Analsoft rays: 22-25; Pectoral fin rays: 12-13; Body depth at anal-fin origin: 1.9-2.1 in SL. First dorsal fin spine over front half of eyes, with minute posteriorly directed barbs along each posterolateral edge, and spine folds into deep groove on back; Patch of spiny bristles on midsides: larger and more posteriorly directed in males, more toothbrush-like in females; skin otherwise smooth. Lips not covering teeth when mouth closed. Pelvic fin rudiment immoveable; Skin smooth, velvety. Max. length: 20.0 cm TL. Depth range: 3 - 18 m.
Color
Body brown or pale brown, but head, lips and caudal fin very dark brown; Up to about 12 narrow brown vertical bars on midsides often within a pale area; Pectoral fins, soft-rayed dorsal fin and anal fin with yellowish rays and transparent membrane. Caudal fin dark brown. Lips dark brown.
Etymology
Amanses: etymology not explained nor evident.
scopas: from Latin, scopa = broom, besom. Referring to dense, brush-like mass of long setae projecting from sides of females between soft dorsal and anal fins (males have a sheaf of long needle-like spines).
Original description: Balistes scopas Cuvier, 1829 - Type locality: Mauritius, Mascarenes, southwestern Indian Ocean.
Distribution
Red Sea, Indo-West Pacific: East Africa, Seychelles, Saya de Malha Bank, Madagascar and western Mascarenes, east to Hawaiian Islands and Tuamotu Archipelago, north to southern Japan and Ogasawara Islands, south to Australia and New Caledonia.
Biology
Inhabits clear coastal to outer reefs, usually in rich coral areas with rubble patches or gutters. Feeds on coral polyps. Solitary or in pairs. Less approachable than most filefishes. Usually seeks coverage in large corals when approached.
Similar species
Cantherhines dumerilii (Hollard, 1854) - Reported from New Caledonia - Link to the species (here).
Last update: 3, June 2023
Broom filefish, Broom leatherjacket, Brush-sided leatherjacket, Besem-vylvis, Besen-Feilenfisch, Azamikawahagi, アザミカワハギ, 刷皮尾棘魨, 美單棘魨,
Synonymes
Amnases scopas (Cuvier, 1829)
Anamses scopas (Cuvier, 1829)
Balistes scopas (Cuvier, 1829)
Monacanthus hystrix (Burton, 1835)
Monacanthus scopas (Cuvier, 1829)
Thamnaconus penicularius (Fourmanoir, 1955)
--------------------------
Description
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26-29; Analsoft rays: 22-25; Pectoral fin rays: 12-13; Body depth at anal-fin origin: 1.9-2.1 in SL. First dorsal fin spine over front half of eyes, with minute posteriorly directed barbs along each posterolateral edge, and spine folds into deep groove on back; Patch of spiny bristles on midsides: larger and more posteriorly directed in males, more toothbrush-like in females; skin otherwise smooth. Lips not covering teeth when mouth closed. Pelvic fin rudiment immoveable; Skin smooth, velvety. Max. length: 20.0 cm TL. Depth range: 3 - 18 m.
Color
Body brown or pale brown, but head, lips and caudal fin very dark brown; Up to about 12 narrow brown vertical bars on midsides often within a pale area; Pectoral fins, soft-rayed dorsal fin and anal fin with yellowish rays and transparent membrane. Caudal fin dark brown. Lips dark brown.
Etymology
Amanses: etymology not explained nor evident.
scopas: from Latin, scopa = broom, besom. Referring to dense, brush-like mass of long setae projecting from sides of females between soft dorsal and anal fins (males have a sheaf of long needle-like spines).
Original description: Balistes scopas Cuvier, 1829 - Type locality: Mauritius, Mascarenes, southwestern Indian Ocean.
Distribution
Red Sea, Indo-West Pacific: East Africa, Seychelles, Saya de Malha Bank, Madagascar and western Mascarenes, east to Hawaiian Islands and Tuamotu Archipelago, north to southern Japan and Ogasawara Islands, south to Australia and New Caledonia.
Biology
Inhabits clear coastal to outer reefs, usually in rich coral areas with rubble patches or gutters. Feeds on coral polyps. Solitary or in pairs. Less approachable than most filefishes. Usually seeks coverage in large corals when approached.
Similar species
Cantherhines dumerilii (Hollard, 1854) - Reported from New Caledonia - Link to the species (here).
Last update: 3, June 2023