longnose filefish

Oxymonacanthus longirostris

This is a specialist Acropora coral polyp feeder that has a protruding snout and teeth that project from it and snip off coral polyps (the little jellyfish-like creatures that are inside the coral).

They are found in areas of abundant coral growth and one was seen on Normanby before Cyclone Yasi but none have been seen since.

They are good for understanding human sexual behaviour. They are generally monogamous and the pair defend a territory (food). If possible however. males will have several partners (if there are no other males, or the other males are too small to defend their mate). These males have more children than other males.

If a male has only one partner on the other hand, the male defends the territory more often and the female feeds more and produces more children than other females.