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Spinycheek starsnout (Bathyagonus infraspinatus) — Agonidae

Spinycheek starsnout

Bathyagonus infraspinatus
Family: Agonidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Spinycheek starsnout (Bathyagonus infraspinatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Agonidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
18.0–183.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The spinycheek starsnout is a small poacher from the northern Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender body armoured with bony plates, characteristic of the poachers, and bears spines on the cheek and a star-like growth on the snout. As a bottom-dweller it lives on soft bottoms of cold, deep water and searches for small bottom animals. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spinycheek starsnout?

The Spinycheek starsnout has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Spinycheek starsnout live?

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

How big does the Spinycheek starsnout get?

The Spinycheek starsnout grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Spinycheek starsnout dangerous to humans?

No, the Spinycheek starsnout is harmless to humans.

Is the Spinycheek starsnout edible?

The Spinycheek starsnout is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Stekelwang-sterneuspantsernaald verified
English name
Spinycheek starsnout verified
Scientific name
Bathyagonus infraspinatus
Family
Agonidae
Other names
Spinycheek starsnout verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

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 Bathyagonus

More from the family Agonidae

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