Cantherhines verecundus

Monacanthidae · saltwater and brackish water fish

2 minute read · Species guide

Cantherhines verecundus field guide illustration

About Cantherhines verecundus

Cantherhines verecundus, the shy filefish, is a marine fish in the family Monacanthidae (filefishes) that can be found in Hawaiian waters. It is one of the many species of Filefish, but far less common (1). Specimens have been caught in various ways in the shallow waters of Oahu (1).

Description

“... Soft dorsal fin rays 33-36; anal fin r~<30-32; pectoral fin rays 12 or 13 (usually 13); vertebrae 7 + 12; head length 2.8-2.95 in SL; snout length 3.25-3.55 in SL; first dorsal spine of medium length, 1.5-1.7 in head length, originating over anterior half of eye and folding into a moderately deep groove in back when depressed; dorsal spine covered by many longitudinal rows of minute asperities, with two rows of somewhat enlarged parbs on anterior face and one on each posterolateral edge” (1)

“ Cantherhines verecundus is very closely related to C. rapanui of Easter Island, differing in its smaller size, longer first dorsal spine, lower average number of dorsal and anal rays, usually 13 instead of 12 pectoral rays, and a ground color which is more gray than brown or olivaceous.” (1).

Their max length is approximately 12.5 cm (2). The species has a varied diet, consisting of various species of sea sponges, multiple types of algae, and even small crustaceans (1).

Distribution and habitat

This species is not only native to Hawaii, but endemic, and is only found in the waters around the islands, at a depth range of 14-92 meters (2). It is specifically found only in the waters surrounding Oahu (1)

Article text: Wikipedia contributors, Cantherhines verecundus (source revision). Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Retrieved 2026-10-11.

Range

Where it lives

Share of 37 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 1 states.
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Share of 37 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 1 states.

Share of records by state

Habitat

Water and movement

Water
WoRMS records this species in brackish water and the sea.

Classification

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Superclass
Actinopterygii
Class
Teleostei
Order
Tetraodontiformes
Genus
Cantherhines
Species
Cantherhines verecundus
ITIS TSN
173161
WoRMS AphiaID
276255
GBIF key
2406945

Common questions about Cantherhines verecundus

What is the scientific name of Cantherhines verecundus?
The scientific name is Cantherhines verecundus, in the family Monacanthidae. Classification follows ITIS.
Does Cantherhines verecundus live in fresh water or salt water?
WoRMS records this species in brackish water and the sea.
Where has Cantherhines verecundus been recorded in the United States?
GBIF has observations in 1 states, with the most records in Hawaii. The map shows observation records, which do not establish the complete natural range.

Closest relatives

Other Cantherhines species

Same family

More Monacanthidae