Stephanolepis setifer (Bennett, 1831)
Pygmy filefish
Stephanolepis setifer
photo by Duarte, L.O.

Family:  Monacanthidae (Filefishes)
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range - 80 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Bermuda, North Carolina (USA), and northern Gulf of Mexico to southeastern Brazil (Ref. 57756). Indo-Pacific (Ref. 26165).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27-29; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 27-29. Profile from snout to origin of first dorsal spine nearly straight (Ref. 26938). No enlarged spines on caudal peduncle, but males with an elongate patch of bristle-like spinules (Ref. 13442).
Biology:  More common in offshore areas, including floating seaweed and flotsam, and around islands. Juveniles are associated with floating seaweeds (Ref. 3790). Probably feeds on plants and small invertebrates (Ref. 3790). Generally considered as trash fish, rarely consumed (Ref. 3790).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 September 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  reports of ciguatera poisoning


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