Lacefin Filefish

Pervagor aspricaudus

Monacanthidae · saltwater water fish

1 minute read · Species guide

Lacefin Filefish field guide illustration

About Lacefin Filefish

Pervagor aspricaudus, also called orangetail filefish, is a marine fish in the family Monacanthidae. Its most striking feature derives from the vibrant colors of blue gray ombre, following a fade to an orange yellow on its fin, that gleam underwater.

Description

Pervagor aspricaudus has spots on its head, seemingly followed by patterns of dashes throughout its physique. Followed by the vibrant shades of colors from its head to fin, the spinous dorsal fin are in the shades of orange and brown. Its photoreceptor pigment have a sensitive cone λ max at 404 nm, allowing it to see short-wavelength light and colors that cannot be observed by humans. It feeds on small invertebrates, zooplanktons and zoobenthos.

Distribution and habitat

The orangetail filefish is found in the Indo-West Pacific, including the Hawaiian islands, Japan, Australia, and Christmas Island. Recently it has also been seen near Tonga. It resides in transparent coastal and ocean-facing reefs at depths of 1–25 m (3.3–82.0 ft).

Human use

Due to its striking colors and usually calm behavior, the orangetail filefish is sometimes chosen for marine aquariums.

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

Range

Where it lives

Share of 65 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 1 states.
0%
100%
Share of 65 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 the sea.

Classification

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Superclass
Actinopterygii
Class
Teleostei
Order
Tetraodontiformes
Genus
Pervagor
Species
Pervagor aspricaudus
ITIS TSN
173197
WoRMS AphiaID
220073
GBIF key
2406822
Outside the US
ITIS also files it in Central Pacific Territories.

Common questions about Lacefin Filefish

What is the scientific name of Lacefin Filefish?
The scientific name is Pervagor aspricaudus, in the family Monacanthidae. Classification follows ITIS.
Does Lacefin Filefish live in fresh water or salt water?
WoRMS records this species in the sea.
Where has Lacefin Filefish 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 Pervagor species

Same family

More Monacanthidae