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Banded manefish (Caristius fasciatus) — Caristiidae

Banded manefish

Caristius fasciatus
Family: Caristiidae

The Banded manefish (Caristius fasciatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Caristiidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
100–420 m
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Argentina, Canada, Greenland, Namibia, South Africa

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Description

The banded manefish is a deep-sea fish (Caristiidae) from the dim midwater of the ocean. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, dark body with a very tall, far-forward-reaching dorsal fin that looks like a mane. Remarkably it lives in the company of large siphonophores (colonial jellies), among which it shelters and feeds. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded manefish?

The Banded manefish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly black.

Where does the Banded manefish live?

The Banded manefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. North America: Argentina, Canada, Greenland, Namibia, South Africa

How big does the Banded manefish get?

The Banded manefish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Banded manefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded manefish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Banded manefish (Caristius fasciatus) — Caristiidae — 2
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ
Banded manefish (Caristius fasciatus) — Caristiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Pingo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded manefish (Caristius fasciatus) — Caristiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Gonzalo Mucientes Sandoval, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Banded manefish sourced
Scientific name
Caristius fasciatus
Family
Caristiidae
Other names
Greenland manefish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Black sourced
Tail shape
Forked

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
100 verified
Max depth (m)
420 verified
Natural range
North America: Argentina, Canada, Greenland, Namibia, South Africa sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Caristiidae

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