Maximum length: 7 cm

Depth: 1 - 25 m

Can adapt coloration to the substrate.

Has a V-shaped marking (not always visible) in the middle of the side.

Found on sandy areas near the coast and on slopes with small algae fields.

Mostly traveling singly.

Photos 1 - 2 Astrid: Lembeh Strait North Sulawesi

Photo 3 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North Sulawesi

Maximum length: 1m

Depth: 2 - 80 m

Largest filefish species.

There are different color variants.

Shy and solitary.

The scales have small spines and are as rough as a file, hence its name.

Photo: 1 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean

Photo 2 Johnny: El Quesir Egypt

Photos 3 - 5 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt

Maximum length: 25 cm

Depth: 2 - 25 m

This filefish is a less common filefish,

usually seen in sheltered seaward reefs with rich coral cover but also in harbors.

Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Bangka Island North Sulawesi

Maximum length: 45 cm

Depth: 3 - 25 m

Visible, enlarged belly appendage, orange spines on the tail root, whitish snout.

There are two color forms, one with large white spots, the other without spots.

Swim in pairs over the reef, and usually both varieties.

Curious, with slow movements you can get close to them.

Photo 1 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean

Photo 2 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean

Maximum length: 21 cm

Depth: 5 - 20 m

White spot on the caudal fin and body covered with orange spots.

The most common color form has broad dark brown and narrow dull yellow longitudinal stripes.

Color can fade or become completely brown.

It is usually found near the bottom, hidden in gorgonians and staghorn corals.

Shy, hides in holes and crevices when approached.

Photo 1 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean

Photos 2 - 3 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean

Maximum length: 25 cm

Depth: 1 - 25 m

Brown honeycomb pattern with a white spot on the root of the tail.

It is regularly found on coral-rich slopes of lagoons and on outer reefs,

as well as in seagrass and kelp zones, always close to hiding places.

Shy.

Photo 1 Johnny: El Qesir Egypt

Maximum length: 10 cm

Depth: 3 - 20 m

Its body usually has a white net pattern.

Otherwise its body, snout and head are slender and elongated.

Its coloration ranges from brown to grey, or yellowish to reddish brown,

its coloration can change drastically, fading or darkening to camouflage itself.

Its ventral lobe usually has a yellowish edge.

It lives in reefs, usually vertically between the branches of a gorgonian,

where it is difficult to spot due to its good camouflage.

Not shy, you can get close as it does not want to leave "its" gorgonian.

Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean

Photo 3 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean

Maximum length: 7 cm

Depth: 0.3 - 30 m

Blue body with orange spots.

It can be found as a pair or in small groups between Millepora fire corals

or in Acropora thickets from which it eats the polyps.

Photo 1 Johnny: El Qesir Egypt

Photo 2 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt

Maximum length: 10 cm

Depth. 1 - 25 m

Mimics the venomous jugfish Canthigaster valentini

almost identically in color and shape, which protects it from predators.

Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Bangka Island North Sulawesi

Maximum length: 8 cm

Depth: 1 - 25 m

Very difficult to find, hides immediately when there is movement in its surroundings. 

Can be found in corals, sheltered lagoons, or in sandy and muddy substrates.

Photo 1 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North Sulawesi

Maximum length: 18 cm

Depth: 3 - 25 m

Also known as the bowfin filefish, it is found in shallow coastal areas,

often in reefs but also in regions overgrown with algae in coastal waters.

Adult specimens are usually found in pairs.

Photo 1 Johnny: Bangka Island North Sulawesi

Photo 2 Astrid: Bali Indonesia