Source-reviewed guide. Evidence gaps are stated explicitly; regulations remain local.
Identification
Elongate compressed filefish with a small upturned mouth and long rounded tail.
Where to find it
The documented Caribbean areas and their occurrence sources are listed below. Historic records do not establish present abundance.
Habitat
Lagoons and outer reef slopes.
Depth
The FAO account reports to 20 m; this is not the full range reported by all sources. Occurrence depth is not recommended tackle depth.
Best season
Information unavailable in the species sources reviewed; no species-specific recommendation is inferred.
Best time
Information unavailable in the species sources reviewed; no species-specific recommendation is inferred.
Best tides
Information unavailable in the species sources reviewed; no species-specific recommendation is inferred.
Best weather / conditions
Information unavailable in the species sources reviewed; no species-specific recommendation is inferred.
Best bait
Information unavailable in the species sources reviewed; no species-specific recommendation is inferred.
Best artificial lures
Information unavailable in the species sources reviewed; no species-specific recommendation is inferred.
Tackle setup
Information unavailable in the species sources reviewed; no species-specific recommendation is inferred.
Hook size
Information unavailable in the species sources reviewed; no species-specific recommendation is inferred.
Line
Information unavailable in the species sources reviewed; no species-specific recommendation is inferred.
Leader
Information unavailable in the species sources reviewed; no species-specific recommendation is inferred.
Fishing techniques
FAO documents traps. These include historical commercial or incidental catches; they are not ranked as best or assumed legal locally.
Step-by-step: how to catch it
- Confirm identification and local rules.
- Use only a method permitted locally; the methods section distinguishes documented practice from unavailable advice.
- Release any protected, uncertain or unwanted catch promptly using appropriate handling.
Typical size
FAO common size: to 70 cm length; measurement basis not specified in this account. Not an island-specific catch average.
Maximum size
FAO account maximum: 80 cm length; measurement basis not specified in this account. Historical reference value, not a current angling record.
Edibility
Edibility is not established in the catalog; see the table-quality section.
Cleaning
No food recommendation is provided: the catalog has not verified human food use for this species.
Cooking suggestions
No food recommendation is provided: the catalog has not verified human food use for this species.
Safety warnings
The Florida Museum reports ciguatera incidents associated with eating this species. This guide gives no recommendation to consume it.
Regulations
Verify the rules for the actual fishing area before targeting or retaining this species. Unknown means pending verification, not unrestricted harvest. Area-specific classifications and sources appear below.
Conservation
The catalog documents protected status in Cayman waters for this fishing group. There it is an encounter, not a fishing target. Other local statuses remain separate below.
Physical appearance
Irregular blue lines and spots over a gray-brown body.
Diet
Algae, seagrass and attached invertebrates.
Behavior
Information unavailable in the species sources reviewed; no species-specific recommendation is inferred.
Fishing depth
Information unavailable in the species sources reviewed; no species-specific recommendation is inferred.
Fishing environments
Lagoons and outer reef slopes. This is species-level habitat context, not proof for every linked area.
Table quality
No food recommendation is provided: the catalog has not verified human food use for this species.
Catch and release
For an ordinary small fish, minimize handling and air exposure, support its body and use a dehooker. Species-specific hazards take precedence.
Documented Caribbean areas and local rules
- Puerto Rico — Unknown — pending verification
- U.S. Virgin Islands — Unknown — pending verification
- British Virgin Islands — Unknown — pending verification
- Saint Martin — Unknown — pending verification
- Sint Maarten — Unknown — pending verification
- Saint Barthélemy — Unknown — pending verification
- Saba — Unknown — pending verification
- Saint Kitts and Nevis — Unknown — pending verification
- Antigua and Barbuda — Unknown — pending verification
- Guadeloupe — Unknown — pending verification
- Dominica — Unknown — pending verification
- Martinique — Unknown — pending verification
- Saint Lucia — Unknown — pending verification
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines — Unknown — pending verification
- Barbados — Unknown — pending verification
- Grenada — Unknown — pending verification
- Trinidad and Tobago — Unknown — pending verification
- Aruba — Unknown — pending verification
- Curaçao — Unknown — pending verification
- Bonaire — Unknown — pending verification
- Bahamas — Unknown — pending verification
- Turks and Caicos Islands — Unknown — pending verification
- Cayman Islands — Protected
- Jamaica — Unknown — pending verification
- Cuba — Unknown — pending verification
- Dominican Republic — Unknown — pending verification
Sources and field evidence
- Big Joe Caribbean catalog — individual occurrence and local rule sources retained
- FAO Western Central Atlantic, volume 3, PDF pages 611
- FWC — Fish handling and gear
- Florida Museum — Scrawled filefish
Other names: No synonyms recorded.