Lozenge filefish

The Lozenge Filefish, also known as the Reticulated Leatherjacket or Reticulated Filefish, is a tropical marine species scientifically named Stephanolepis diaspros. It inhabits coastal marine environments, typically found at depths ranging from 20 to 50 meters (65 to 165 feet). The fish reaches a maximum length of 25 centimeters (about 10 inches).

This fish thrives in coastal rocky areas that are often rich in vegetation. It feeds by picking small invertebrates from rocks. Juvenile reticulated filefish are often seen near jellyfish. Interestingly, this species is recognized as one of the early Lessepsian migrants, having successfully moved from its original habitats in the 🌊 Persian Gulf and 🌊 Red Sea through the Suez Canal (🇪🇬 Egypt) into the Mediterranean Sea.

The filefish's physical appearance includes a brown body with lighter patterns. It features a concave snout and an elevated base on its soft dorsal fin. These fish occupy diverse marine substrates, including rocky environments with vegetation, as well as sandy, muddy areas, and seagrass meadows.

The name "Stephanolepis" is derived from Greek, where "stephanos" means crown and "lepis" means scale, reflecting its unique scalation. Established populations of this fish are prominently found in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, illustrating its successful adaptation to new environments.