Bristle-tail Filefish

Acreichthys tomentosus

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Monacanthidae
Genus: Acreichthys
Species: Acreichthys tomentosus

The bristle-tail filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus) is a small, mottled filefish that hides in seagrass and algae. Males have bristles near the tail that give it its name.

It grows to about 10 cm and can change colour to match its surroundings. It is known for eating the pest anemone Aiptasia.

In the Philippines it is found in seagrass beds and algae-covered rubble in shallow water.