Fan-bellied Leatherjacket
Monacanthus chinensis
Cream to brownish with dark blotches and mottling on sides. Tail banded with brown and yellowish. Has a very large skin flap on the belly. Grows to 40cm.
Morphology
Recognisable by the large skin flap on the belly, upturned snout, and a filament extending from the top of the tail.
Evolution
May not be related to other Monacanthus species, despite its similar morphology.
Behaviour
Diurnal, omnivorous. Can change colour.
Method of reproduction
Possibly haremic with male nest guarding.
Habitat
Marine
Marine, Estuarine. Wide range of habitats from weedy reefs to seagrass and silty areas to 50m.
Distribution
Indo-Pacific from Malaysia and Japan, Indonesia to Samoa and Australia.
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Tetraodontiformes |
| Family: | Monacanthidae |
| Genus: | Monacanthus |
| Species: | chinensis |
| Name Published Year: | 1765 |
|---|---|
| Rank: | species |
| Scientific Name Authorship: | Osbeck |
| Commercial Impact: | Minor |
| Conservation Assessment: | Least Concern |
Cite this page
Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/monacanthus-chinensis
Accessed 29 May 2025
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