Orangetail Filefish

Pervagor aspricaudus

The Orangetail Filefish, Pervagor aspricaudus, is a distinctive marine fish known for its unique coloration. It features a blue-gray ombre that transitions to an orange-yellow hue on its fins, making it stand out in its natural habitat. The fish's body is adorned with spots on its head and patterns of dashes across its physique. Its eyes have an orange to brown iris, and its dorsal and anal fins range from clear to yellowish tones. The species can reach a maximum length of 13 cm and is equipped with a strong first dorsal spine. This filefish is found in the Indo-West Pacific region, including areas such as the Hawaiian Islands, Japan, Australia, and Christmas Island. It inhabits clear lagoon and seaward reefs, typically at depths ranging from 1 to 25 meters. The species is solitary, often seen among coral and rubble in coastal and ocean-facing reefs. Its diet consists of small invertebrates, zooplankton, and zoobenthos, which it forages for in its benthopelagic environment. Divers encountering the Orangetail Filefish can expect a calm and harmless fish, often seen alone rather than in groups. It is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. The species is sometimes kept in marine aquariums due to its calm demeanor and appearance.