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Southern spearnose poacher (Agonopsis sterletus) — Agonidae

Southern spearnose poacher

Agonopsis sterletus
Family: Agonidae

The Southern spearnose poacher (Agonopsis sterletus) is a saltwater fish of the family Agonidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
42.0–91.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The southern spearnose poacher is a poacher (Agonidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has an elongate body entirely armoured with bony plates and a pointed, upturned snout. It lives bottom-bound on soft bottoms of coastal waters. With its downward-pointing mouth it forages the sediment for small crustaceans, worms and other bottom invertebrates that it detects on the soft bottom. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Southern spearnose poacher?

The Southern spearnose poacher has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Southern spearnose poacher live?

The Southern spearnose poacher lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Southern spearnose poacher get?

The Southern spearnose poacher grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Southern spearnose poacher dangerous to humans?

No, the Southern spearnose poacher is harmless to humans.

Is the Southern spearnose poacher edible?

The Southern spearnose poacher is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sterlet-pantserkop sourced
English name
Southern spearnose poacher verified
Scientific name
Agonopsis sterletus
Family
Agonidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
42.0 verified
Max depth (m)
91.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Agonopsis

More from the family Agonidae

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