All fish / Monacanthidae

Mimic Filefish

Paraluteres prionurus

Also known as blacksaddle filefish, black saddled filefish, false saddled puffer, mimic leatherjacket, blacksaddle mimic, saddled filefish, valentin's mimic filefish, ノコギリハギ, 拟态革鲀, 锯尾副革单棘鲀

This small filefish is a near perfect copy of the toxic Valentin's sharpnose puffer, with a white body, black saddles and a yellow tail. It can be told apart by its two dorsal fins, its longer dorsal and anal fins, and a small erectile spine on the head. Keepers like it for its striking mimicry and calm nature in fish-only or carefully chosen reef tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a mated pair

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood, small crustaceans and quality frozen foods

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-West Pacific, from East Africa and the Red Sea to Japan, Australia and the Marshall Islands

Breeding

Pairs lay sticky eggs on algae or the substrate, and the larvae are tiny and pelagic. Captive breeding is very rarely reported and rearing the young is difficult.

Good to know

It may nip at soft corals, clams and some invertebrates, so it is not fully reef safe. It is often confused with Canthigaster valentini, so check the fins before buying.