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Spotted driftfish (Ariomma regulus) — Ariommatidae

Spotted driftfish

Ariomma regulus
Family: Ariommatidae
LC · Least Concern

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

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–500.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The spotted driftfish is an oceanic fish of the driftfish family (Ariommatidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species has a streamlined, silvery body with large eyes and two separate dorsal fins. Adults live near the bottom on shrimp grounds and deeper parts of the continental shelf, though it occurs sporadically; juveniles live in offshore surface waters, often near floating material. It feeds on small zooplankton and small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotted driftfish?

The Spotted driftfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Spotted driftfish live?

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

How big does the Spotted driftfish get?

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

Is the Spotted driftfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotted driftfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Spotted driftfish edible?

The Spotted driftfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gevlekte drijfvis sourced
English name
Spotted driftfish verified
Scientific name
Ariomma regulus
Family
Ariommatidae
Other names
Spotted Driftfish; Spotted driftfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Average length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-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
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
500.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Ariomma

More from the family Ariommatidae

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