the.com/filefish
A fish shaped like sandpaper that locks itself into reef cracks so predators can't evict it.
means A slender, laterally flattened reef fish related to triggerfish, named for its rough, file-like skin and able to raise a sharp dorsal spine to wedge itself into crevices.
from Straightforward English compounding: 'file' + 'fish,' describing the sandpapery texture of its scales, which were historically tough enough that sailors and islanders reportedly used the dried skin to actually file or polish wood and tools — a rare case where the descriptive name doubled as a practical label.
- skin texture
- rough enough to literally file wood
- defense trick
- erects dorsal spine to wedge into crevices
- body shape
- flattened sideways, almost like a leaf
- diet habit
- some species eat only coral polyps