Toothbrush Leatherjacket

Acanthaluteres vittiger

Toothbrush Leatherjacket (Acanthaluteres vittiger) is a small Australian filefish known for its narrow body and set of stiff dorsal spines. It inhabits shallow coastal waters and is usually taken only incidentally rather than as a targeted gamefish.

Saltwater

Toothbrush Leatherjacket reference image — Tim Binns from Tomahawk, Australia, cc-by-sa, via Wikimedia Commons. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Identification points

Long, narrow filefish body with a pointed snout
Coarse, brush-like spotting/markings that give a mottled appearance
Single prominent dorsal spine with a row of smaller stiff spines along the back

Habitat

Shallow seagrass beds, weedy reefs, algal-covered rubble, and sheltered coastal inshore waters; typically close to structure in temperate southern Australian habitats.

Bait notes

Small natural baits such as prawn, squid strips, and pieces of marine worm can work; tiny soft plastics or small jigs may tempt one when fishing around weed edges. This is not a common target species.

Behavior

Feeds on small benthic invertebrates and algae while picking around cover. It is cautious, slow-moving, and often stays tight to weed or reef structure, making it more of an incidental catch than a pursued species.

Caution

Handle carefully because the dorsal spines are stiff and can poke. Check local rules before keeping any filefish; many anglers release them, and there is limited species-specific advice on consumption quality.

Fishing notes

Use light tackle and small hooks near seagrass, weed beds, and shallow reef edges. Fish slowly and keep presentations close to the bottom and structure; catches are usually accidental while targeting other inshore species.