Named for its rough skin, which resembles the texture of a fingernail file, the planehead filefish (Stephanolepis hispidus) is another great example of the rich biodiversity found within Georgia’s estuaries. Planeheads, like all filefish are characterized by a deep flattened body (also known as laterally compressed) and a short pointy snout. Their mottled bodies can vary in color including various shades of browns, greens and yellows, which help them blend into their surroundings. They also possess a prominent spine on top of their head that they can lock in place as a defense mechanism.

Within Georgia’s estuaries, planehead filefish can be found swimming around natural and artificial structures with the aid of their extended dorsal and anal fins and fan-shaped caudal fin. Further offshore, they are commonly associated with reef and sargassum seaweed environments. Seldom reaching more than six inches in length these small cryptic fish commonly feed on various invertebrates and algae and also serve as a food source for larger predators.

 Cool Fact. Mature male planehead filefish can be distinguished from females by the presence of an elongated second soft ray on their dorsal fin.