Japanese Leatherjacket (juvenile)

Description:

Also known as Japanese Filefish. As adults, colorations vary but the tell-tale sign of this filefish is the dark blotch beneath the dorsal fin. Males become more elongated as they grow older. This species will mate monogamously.

Habitat:

Inhabits weedy and sandy areas of coastal reefs.

Notes:

This juvenile filefish seemed to be taking refuge beside a mauve spiky soft coral. Spotted it in about 14m of water in a sand-and-rubble area at the Dayang Beach dive site. It measured roughly 1.5cm long.