Scrawled Filefish (Aluterus scriptus) is a saltwater species recorded in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, United States. It is mainly found over reef, at depths of 3–120 m.
Scientific name: Aluterus scriptus · Water: Saltwater
Size: up to 110 cm
The scrawled filefish is a monacanthid of lagoons and seaward reefs, with adults along deep coastal slopes and outer reef drop-offs at about 20 m. Its juveniles travel with drifting weed rafts in the open ocean for a long time and grow to a considerable size on the way, which is why they turn up far from land. Its food is unusual for a fish: algae, seagrass, hydrozoans, gorgonians, colonial anemones and tunicates. Commonly about 55 cm and up to 110 cm total length. It can be taken at the surface with a hand net.
Caution: large individuals carry a ciguatera risk. Heat, cold and marinating do not remove the toxin, which concentrates in the liver, roe and head, so avoid eating those parts. Seek medical help if numbness, tingling or a reversed sense of hot and cold follows a meal.
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