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Ray-finned Fishes of Zihuatanejo

CLASS ACTINOPTERYGII

Scrawled Filefish

Aluterus scriptus

The Scrawled Filefish (Aluterus scriptus), also known as the Scribbled Leatherjacket. It has an elongated, compressed body and "scrawled" neon-blue patterns. Their base color ranges from olive-brown to pale gray, covered in irregular, vibrant blue lines and spots, along with small black dots. They are masters of camouflage and can quickly change their shade to match their surroundings. hey are omnivores, grazing on a varied diet of algae, seagrass, hydrozoans, gorgonians, anemones, sponges, and tunicates.

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