# Blacksaddle filefish (*Paraluteres prionurus*) The Blacksaddle filefish is a colorful fish that lives in warm ocean waters. It has a unique shape and can change colors to blend in with its surroundings, making it a fun fish to spot! - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Coral reefs ![Blacksaddle filefish](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Falso_tambor%C3%ADn_%28Paraluteres_prionurus%29%252C_Anilao%252C_Filipinas%252C_2023-08-22%252C_DD_203.jpg&width=800) Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Falso_tambor%C3%ADn_%28Paraluteres_prionurus%29%252C_Anilao%252C_Filipinas%252C_2023-08-22%252C_DD_203.jpg) ## Appearance The Blacksaddle filefish is a small, compressed fish with a prominent snout and a retractable first dorsal spine. It typically has a pale body adorned with distinct black saddle-like bands or spots. Its unique pattern helps it blend into coral environments or mimic other species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Tetraodontiformes - **Family:** Monacanthidae - **Genus:** Paraluteres ## Interesting facts - Some Blacksaddle filefish cleverly pretend to be a poisonous pufferfish! - Their body is shaped super flat, letting them squeeze into tiny reef cracks! - These fish often swim with a unique swaying movement, blending in with floating debris! - They can lock their first dorsal fin like a safety pin, making them hard to swallow! ## Special abilities - **Mimicry Master:** Blacksaddle filefish can perfectly imitate the venomous Valenini pufferfish because this clever trick helps them avoid being eaten. - **Locking Spine Defense:** Blacksaddle filefish has a unique first dorsal spine that can be locked upright, because this helps them wedge into tight spots or deter hungry predators. - **Skin Armor:** Blacksaddle filefish has tough, sandpaper-like skin because this protects them from minor scrapes and makes them less appealing to predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 7-11 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.03 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-5 years - **Swim Speed:** 3 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 30 m - **Water Type:** Saltwater ## Diet & Feeding They are tiny hunters, nibbling on small seabed critters and plant material. - **Primary Foods:** small crustaceans, marine worms, algae, detritus - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Two-spot red snapper (*Lutjanus bohar*) — A common predatory fish on coral reefs. - **Eaten by:** Leopard coral grouper (*Plectropomus leopardus*) — Larger reef fish that hunts smaller fish. - **Depends on:** Valenini pufferfish (*Canthigaster valentini*) — Mimics this venomous fish for protection from predators. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch fish from a safe distance and never try to touch them in the water. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Blacksaddle filefish? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Blacksaddle filefish? 7-11 cm ### How much does Blacksaddle filefish weigh? 0.01-0.03 kg ### How long does Blacksaddle filefish live? 3-5 years ### What does Blacksaddle filefish eat? They are tiny hunters, nibbling on small seabed critters and plant material. ### How fast can Blacksaddle filefish swim? 3 km/h ### Where is Blacksaddle filefish usually found? Coral reefs ### How does Blacksaddle filefish hunt? Foraging ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Blacksaddle filefish: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blacksaddle-filefish)