Hairfinned Leatherjacket, also known by its scientific name Paramonacanthus japonicus, is found in the Indo-West Pacific region. Sometimes, it’s sold as an aquarium pet.
This fish likes to live in areas with weeds and sand near coastal reefs. It’s also found in shallow estuaries or deep offshore muddy areas.
As male Hairfinned Leatherjackets get older, they become longer. Also, they are not safe for coral reefs.
Hairfinned Leatherjacket Interesting Facts
- Hairfinned Leatherjackets are monogamous and grow up to 4.7 inches (12.0 centimeters) long.
- They live in marine reef environments, typically at depths of 34 to 46 meters.
- Their habitat ranges from southern Japan to northwest Australia and Papua New Guinea.
- Males have a unique long, thin ray on their second-to-last tail fin.
Hairfinned Leatherjacket Habitat
Hairfinned Leatherjacket is found in the Indo-West Pacific region. Its habitat stretches from southern Japan and northwest Australia to Papua New Guinea.
This fish lives in marine reef environments and moves through ocean currents (oceanodromous). It’s typically found at depths of 34 to 46 meters.
Hairfinned Leatherjacket thrives in tropical climates, specifically between latitudes 32°N to 24°S.
Hairfinned Leatherjacket Physical Characteristics
Size: 4.7 inches (12.0 centimeters)
Hairfinned Leatherjacket grows up to 4.7 inches (12.0 centimeters) long.
It has two spines on its back and 24 to 30 soft rays along its dorsal fin. There are no spines on its anal fin, but it does have 24 to 30 soft rays. This fish has 19 vertebrae.
Its body width is about twice to two and a half times the size of its head length, while its body depth is about twice to three times the standard length (SL).
The head length measures between 2.7 to 3.2 times the SL. Its snout length is around four times the SL, and its eye diameter is around three times the head length.
In males, there’s a long, thin ray on their second-to-last tail fin.
Hairfinned Leatherjacket Reproduction
Hairfinned Leatherjackets are monogamous, meaning they have only one partner at a time.