Often drifting among the branches of gorgonians, the tiny slender filefish relies on its camouflage to protect it from predators. This is also one of many reef fishes that can change color to better blend in with its background. They can be hesitant to leave the protection of their cover, making them pretty easy to approach for a picture.

So named because of the forward single portion of the dorsal fin, a frightened filefish can wedge into a crevice on the reef and lock itself in with this fin, making it difficult for its pursuers to extricate it.