Rigid razor fish

Scientific name : Centriscus scutatus

Compressed, very thin body, with elongate snout. Silvery colour with longitudinal red or dark brown band. The dorsal fin has a main spine very high, straight and rigid, extending well over the tail. Maximum lenght 14 cm. Often encountered in bay or lagoon, but also along the deep reef, on sandy or muddy areas. Often in schools.

Very similar to Aeoliscus strigatus, also in the scientific literature there is probably confusion. The difference among the 2 genera is in the long dorsal spine. This spine is rigid in Centriscus, hinged in Aeoliscus. Also the favourite environment is partly different, Centriscus scutatus is met more likely in muddy environments.

Associated organisms
Often associated with benthic arborescent organisms, giving shelter amongst the branches, like soft corals, gorgonians, black corals, also seagrasses or long spined Diadema sea urchins.