Discover how to support healthy-looking nails
ish are generally shallow-water fish, inhabiting depths of no more than about 30 m (100 ft). They may be found in lagoons or associated with seaward reefs and seagrass beds; some species may also enter estuaries. Some species are closely associated with dense mats of Sargassum, a particularly ubiquitous "sea weed"; these filefish, notably the plane head filefish (Stephanolepis hispidus), are also coloured and patterned to match their weedy environments. Either solitary, in pairs, or small groups depending on the species, filefish are not especially good swimmers; their small fins confine the fish to a sluggish pace. Filefish are often observed drifting head downward amongst stands of seaweed, presumably in an effort to fool both predator and prey alike. When threatened, filefish may retreat into crevices in the reef. The feeding habits of filefish vary among the species, with some eating only algae and seagrass; others also eat small benthic invertebrates, such as tunicates, gorgonians, and hydrozoans; and some species eat corals (corallivores). The latter two habits have largely precluded the introduction of filefish into the aquarium hobby. Filefish spawn at bottom sites prepared and guarded by the males; both he and the female may guard the brood, or the male alone, depending on the species. The young filefish are pelagic, that is, they frequent open water. Sargassum provides a safe retreat for many species, both fish and weed being at the current's mercy. Juvenile filefish are at risk from predation by tuna and dolphi
ish are generally shallow-water fish, inhabiting depths of no more than about 30 m (100 ft). They may be found in lagoons or associated with seaward reefs and seagrass beds; some species may also enter estuaries. Some species are closely associated with dense mats of Sargassum, a particularly ubiquitous "sea weed"; these filefish, notably the plane head filefish (Stephanolepis hispidus), are also coloured and patterned to match their weedy environments. Either solitary, in pairs, or small groups depending on the species, filefish are not especially good swimmers; their small fins confine the fish to a sluggish pace. Filefish are often observed drifting head downward amongst stands of seaweed, presumably in an effort to fool both predator and prey alike. When threatened, filefish may retreat into crevices in the reef. The feeding habits of filefish vary among the species, with some eating only algae and seagrass; others also eat small benthic invertebrates, such as tunicates, gorgonians, and hydrozoans; and some species eat corals (corallivores). The latter two habits have largely precluded the introduction of filefish into the aquarium hobby. Filefish spawn at bottom sites prepared and guarded by the males; both he and the female may guard the brood, or the male alone, depending on the species. The young filefish are pelagic, that is, they frequent open water. Sargassum provides a safe retreat for many species, both fish and weed being at the current's mercy. Juvenile filefish are at risk from predation by tuna and dolphi