Common name: Tasselled leatherjacket

General information

The Prickly Leatherjacket, scientifically known as Chaetodermis penicilligerus, is a unique and fascinating species that adds both intrigue and beauty to a marine aquarium. This species is part of the Monacanthidae family, which is known for the distinctive leather-like skin and retractable spine on the dorsal surface. The Prickly Leatherjacket is particularly noted for its ornate and bristly appearance, which is where it gets its common names.

Care

Caring for a Prickly Leatherjacket requires a well-established aquarium with plenty of hiding places and room to swim. They can grow up to 30 centimeters in length, so a larger tank is necessary to accommodate their size. They are omnivorous and will accept a variety of foods, but their diet should include marine algae and meaty foods like shrimp and squid to maintain their health and coloration.

Reproduction

In the wild, Prickly Leatherjackets are solitary creatures and only come together to breed. Little is known about their breeding habits in captivity, as they rarely reproduce in home aquariums. However, in nature, they are known to lay eggs that are attached to substrates in the water.

Habitat

Prickly Leatherjackets are found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Philippines, north to Japan, and south to Australia. They inhabit a range of environments from shallow lagoons to deeper coastal reefs, often seen alone or in pairs, camouflaging among the coral and rocky substrates.