Family : Monacanthidae (Filefishes)
Order : Tetraodontiformes  (puffers and filefishes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Harlequin filefish
Fish Name : Oxymonacanthus longirostris
Max size : 12.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 9710)
Environment : reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range 4 - 30 m
Climate : tropical; 30°N - 30°S
Global Importance : fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec = 200)Distribution : Indo-Pacific: East Africa south to Maputo, Mozambique (Ref. 4421) and east to Samoa, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia, and Tonga. Replaced by Oxymonacanthus halli in the Red Sea.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 31-35; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 29-32. Ventral rudiment absent; bristles on caudal peduncle of males longer than others on body (Ref. 37816).
Biology : Occurs in clear lagoon and seaward reefs from 0.5 to at least 30 m. Found in pairs or small groups and nests near bases of dead corals, often on clumps of algae. Monogamous (Ref. 52884, 48637). Feeds exclusively on Acropora polyps. Feeding takes place throughout the day becoming less towards the evening (Ref. 46144)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator : Hutchins, Barry
Main Ref : Myers, R.F.. 1991. (Ref. 1602)

India country information
Common Names : ചുണ്ടം കരട്ടി, ചുണ്ടന് കരട്ടി , Chundan-karatti, Thundigu-kalihi
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses