Fin's Fish Guide
The Agassiz's thread-sail fish (Chlorophthalmus agassizi) is a brackish-water fish of the family Chlorophthalmidae that grows up to 40 cm.
Circumglobal in temperate and tropical regions; eastern Atlantic from Spain to 19°S; western Atlantic from New England to northern South America.
Description
The shortnose greeneye is a small deep-water fish of the family Chlorophthalmidae reaching about 40 cm. It is notable for its very large, green-shining eyes, larger than the snout length and adapted to dim light. The body is yellow-fawn with irregular oblique brown blotches and a black-based tail; an adipose fin sits behind the dorsal. The greeneye lives on mud and clay bottoms of the continental shelf and upper slope at depths of 50 to 1000 m, feeding on benthic invertebrates and pelagic crustaceans such as euphausiids. It is a hermaphroditic species of little commercial value, taken mainly as deep-water bycatch.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Agassiz's thread-sail fish?
The Agassiz's thread-sail fish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a spots pattern. Deep-water fish with very large, green-shining eyes that are larger than the snout length; an adipose fin and a black-coloured tail base.
Where does the Agassiz's thread-sail fish live?
The Agassiz's thread-sail fish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Circumglobal in temperate and tropical regions; eastern Atlantic from Spain to 19°S; western Atlantic from New England to northern South America.
How big does the Agassiz's thread-sail fish get?
The Agassiz's thread-sail fish grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.
Is the Agassiz's thread-sail fish dangerous to humans?
No, the Agassiz's thread-sail fish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Agassiz's thread-sail fish edible?
The Agassiz's thread-sail fish is rarely eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
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Status & sources
Same genus Chlorophthalmus
More from the family Chlorophthalmidae
Want the complete picture on the Agassiz's thread-sail fish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Agassiz's thread-sail fish is one of 12,519 species in the app.