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Indian driftfish (Ariomma indicum) — Ariommatidae

Indian driftfish

Ariomma indicum
Family: Ariommatidae

The Indian driftfish (Ariomma indicum) is a saltwater fish of the family Ariommatidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Indian driftfish is a marine fish of the family Ariommatidae from the Indo-West Pacific. The species reaches about 25 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with large eyes and two dorsal fins. It lives demersally to benthopelagically over soft sand and silt on the continental shelf. The diet consists of small zooplankton and bottom invertebrates. Juveniles presumably, like many related driftfishes, associate with floating objects or jellyfishes. The species is caught locally in coastal fisheries but is of modest economic importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Indian driftfish?

The Indian driftfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Indian driftfish live?

The Indian driftfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Indian driftfish get?

The Indian driftfish grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.

Is the Indian driftfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Indian driftfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Indian driftfish edible?

The Indian driftfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Indische drijfvis sourced
English name
Indian driftfish sourced
Scientific name
Ariomma indicum
Family
Ariommatidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
25.0 sourced
Average length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal 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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 Ariomma

More from the family Ariommatidae

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