| Blacksaddle filefish | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Tetraodontiformes |
| Family: | Monacanthidae |
| Genus: | Paraluteres |
| Species: | P. prionurus |
| Binomial name | |
| Paraluteres prionurus (Bleeker, 1851) |
|
The blacksaddle filefish, Paraluteres prionurus, is a filefish of the family Monacanthidae. It reaches a length of a maximum 11 cm.
The blacksaddle filefish are found in pairs or in small schools and inhabit reefs across the Indian and Pacific oceans.
Coloration is sandy to grey with distinctive black "saddles" on the back and a yellow tail.
The blacksaddle filefish has evolved to mimic Canthigaster valentini, a highly poisonous pufferfish commonly found where ever P. prionurus is found. The two species have been known to school together.