Description:

Dorsal spines: 2; Dorsal rays: 32-36; Anal spines: 0; Anal rays: 29-32.

Body deep and compressed. Snout profile slightly concave. First dorsal spine originating over anterior half of eye, retractable into deep groove in back. 
Pelvic fin rudiment non-mobile, and not prominently projecting rearward of ventral flap. Caudal peduncle of adult males with a dense patch of fine bristles, 
naked in adult females and juveniles.

Colour. Brown with a network of close set polygonal spots, the reticulum being paler than the spots. Alternating blue and brown lines running from eye and 
gill slit to the terminal mouth. Iris brownish-orange. Small white patch on top of caudal peduncle at base of dorsal fin. Dorsal, anal and pectoral fins 
yellow-orange. Caudal fin darker with brown rays. 

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 25 cm TL. Common Length: 15 cm TL. 
 

Inhabits shallow reefs and outer reef slopes, often in silty habitats (depth 2-20 m). The young float with loose surface weeds and adults are often within
large Sargassum rafts. Solitary. Feeds on benthic organisms. 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the fish trap fishery, but is a rare component of the catch. 
 

Bray, D.J. (2019). Cantherhines pardalis in Fishes of Australia, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/798 (13/07/19).
Fischer, W. & G. Bianchi (eds), (1984).  FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Western Indian Ocean; (Fishing Area 51). Prepared and 
printed with the support of the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). Rome, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, vols 1-6.
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Cantherhines-pardalis (13/07/19)
Matsuura, K. & Motomura, H. (2016). Cantherhines pardalis (errata version 2017). The IUCN Red List 2016: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T70010275A70011789.en. (13/07/19).

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Cantherhines pardalis, Honeycomb filefish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/cantherhines-pardalis-ruppell-1837/ (edited 05/09/22).