Planehead filefish Monacanthus hispidus: One of many members of the filefish group. Planehead filefish have coloration from tan or brown to greenish. There are almost always darker areas along the body but occasionally an individual will show up without these dark blotches. One distinguishing characteristic of the Planehead Filefish is the upper profile of the snout is straight to slightly concave. In males, the first soft ray of the dorsal fin is threadlike and not stiff at all.
Planehead filefish occur in the western Atlantic from Nova Scotia south to Brazil and also are found in the eastern Atlantic.
Planehead filefish inhabits a broad range of habitats which includes everything from sand and mud bottoms, rocky reefs, and Sargassum weed patches.
Planehead filefish eat a variety of invertebrates and algae.