Chinese filefish

Chinese filefish (Monacanthus chinensis) is a saltwater species recorded in Hong Kong. It is mainly found over reef, mud, seagrass, estuary, at depths of 5–50 m.

Scientific name: Monacanthus chinensis · Water: Saltwater

Size: up to 38 cm

Weight: up to 0.58 kg

About

The Chinese filefish is a monacanthid found in estuaries and on coastal and offshore reefs, over muddy or silty ground and weed bottoms, from 5 to 50 m. It is an omnivore, feeding mainly on seagrass, algae, amphipods and shrimps as well as on bryozoans, hydroids, ascidians and copepods. Maximum length is about 38 cm total length, and it can weigh about 0.58 kg. It is taken by minor commercial fishing. Trophic level is 2.4, fishing vulnerability moderate at 36 of 100, and resilience medium. IUCN lists it as least concern.

Ecology and habitat

Bottom / habitat
Reef, Mud, Seagrass, Estuary
Depth
5–50 m
Distribution status
Native
Trophic level
2.4

Fishery and market

Game fish
No
Resilience
Medium

Angling traits

Methods

Sources

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