Scrawled Filefish

Aluterus scriptus

The largest filefish in the waters around the island of St. John. The Scrawled Filefish is impressive to see. An almost oversized, fan tail, brilliant blues, green, yellow and dark lines, spots and mottling that can pale to darken almost instantly gives this large filefish a unique appearance. They can grow to almost 3 feet in length. Found in water as shallow as 5 feet when feeding. Like other filefish they can raise and lower their foremost dorsal spine. (see picture #2)