What is the difference between the Blacksaddle Filefish (Paraluteres prionurus) and the Valentin’s Sharpnose Pufferfish (Canthigaster valentini)?
The Blacksaddle Filefish and the Valentin’s Sharpnose Pufferfish are both marine (saltwater) fish in the same family – the Monacahnthidae family of Leatherjackets.
The Blacksaddle Filefish and the Valentin’s Sharpnose Puffer are both the same size, about 11 centimetres (4 inches) long, and swim together in the same small schools in the tropical reefs of the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
The Blacksaddle Filefish is a mimic of the Valentin’s Sharpnose Puffer, so it is extremely difficult to distinguish one from the other.
The Blacksaddle Filefish and the Valentin’s Sharpnose Puffer both have a yellow tail and four dark bands called saddles on their white body. Both are speckled with dots.
The Blacksaddle Filefish and the Valentin’s Sharpnose Puffer both have a protruded snout (nose).
The Blacksaddle Filefish has light stripes behind its eyes, whereas the Valentin’s Sharpnose Puffer has distinct rainbow striped behind its eyes.
The Blacksaddle Filefish has larger dorsal and anal fins than the Valentin’s Sharpnose Puffer.
The Blacksaddle Filefish has a spiny dorsal fin (but it is mostly hidden), whereas the Valentin’s Sharpnose Puffer does not have a spiny dorsal fin.
The Blacksaddle Filefish cannot puff itself up, whereas the Valentin’s Sharpnose Puffer can puff itself up to make it look larger – usually for about 10 minutes at a time.
The Blacksaddle Filefish is not poisonous to other fish, whereas the Valentin’s Sharpnose Puffer is highly poisonous for other fish to eat.
The Blacksaddle Filefish is found in the Red Sea, whereas the Valentin’s Sharpnose Puffer is not found in the Red Sea. Instead, there is a Red Sea Mimic Filefish (Paraluteres arqat).
Location of photographs: Aquarium de Paris-Cinéaqua, France
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM