PSEUDALUTARIUS NASICORNIS - (TEMMINCK & SCHLEGEL, 1850)
Picture courtesy of: Jack Berthomier (Flicker)
Poisson-lime rhinoceros, Rhinoceros leatherjacket, Rhinoceros filefish, Rhino leatherjacket, Rhino filefish, Rhino file-fish, Renoster-leerbaadjie, Hanatsunohagi, ハナツノハギ 물각쥐치, 前棘假革魨,
Synonymes
Alutera nasicornis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850)
Aluteres nasicornis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850)
Aluterus nasicornis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850)
Aluterus rhinoceros (Hollard, 1855)
Pseudalulerius nasicornis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850)
Pseudalutarias nasicornis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850)
Pseudaluteres nasicornis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850)
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Description
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 43-50; Anal soft rays: 41-46; Pectoral fin rays: 11-13; Relatively slender body, depth at level of origin of anal fin about 6.0 in SL in juvenile and about 3.5 in SL in adult male; Very low second dorsal and anal fins; Convex snout profile, especially in male. Pelvic fin rudiment and ventral flap absent; First dorsal spine very slender, origin anteror to eye. Second dorsal-fin spine long, slender; Second dorsal and anal fins very low; Caudal fin short, rounded. Mouth small, terminal. Jaw teeth long, incisiform. Eye moderately large. Max. length: 19.0 cm TL. Depth range: 1 - 55 m.
Color
Pale brown to grey in color; Two brown stripes on body; Adults with yellow spots on head and body; Soft dorsal and anal fins yellowish; Caudal fin dark brown.
Etymology
Pseudalutarius: from Greek, pseudes = false + from Latin, lutarius = that lives in the mud.
nasicornis: from Latin, nasus = nose + from Latin, cornū = horn.
Original description: Alutera nasicornis Temminck & Schlegel, 1850 - Type locality: no locality stated (Nagasaki, Japan).
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: East and South Africa, Seychelles, Madagascar and western Mascarenes east to New Guinea, north to southern Japan, south to Australia and New Caledonia.
Biology
Inhabit coastal reefs and enter estuaries. Often in silty habitat and usually on slopes with low rubble reef and rich invertebrate growth, ranging to moderate depths. Often found in pairs. Sometimes solitary or in groups. Juveniles hide or shelter near seawhips or seapens. Aquarium fish.