Stephanolepis diaspros Fraser-Brunner, 1940
Reticulated leatherjacket
Stephanolepis diaspros
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Monacanthidae (Filefishes)
Max. size:  25 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 20 - 50 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Persian Gulf (Ref. 3467) to the Red Sea and immigrated via the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean Sea (Ref. 11441).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 30-33; Anal soft rays: 30-33
Biology:  Lives in coastal rocky substrate, usually with vegetation. Consumes small invertebrates plucked from rocks (Ref. 52629). One of the earlier Lessepsian immigrants actually well established in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea and it inhabits various substrates and is usually encountered on rocky bottoms with vegetation, sandy and muddy bottoms as well as seagrass meadows (Ref. 104758).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 July 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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