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Bight stinkfish (Foetorepus phasis) — Callionymidae

Bight stinkfish

Foetorepus phasis
Family: Callionymidae

The Bight stinkfish (Foetorepus phasis) is a saltwater fish of the family Callionymidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
160–200 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

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Description

The bight stinkfish is a dragonet (Callionymidae) from coastal waters of southern Australia. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a flattened, forward-tapering, reddish-mottled body with eyes on top of the head and, in males, a high, finely marked first dorsal fin. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and mud bottoms of deeper coastal waters and picks small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bight stinkfish?

The Bight stinkfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Bight stinkfish live?

The Bight stinkfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

How big does the Bight stinkfish get?

The Bight stinkfish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Bight stinkfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bight stinkfish 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Bight stinkfish sourced
Scientific name
Foetorepus phasis
Family
Callionymidae
Other names
Deep-water dragonet; Dragonet; Longray stinkfish; Long-rayed stinkfish; South Australian bigeye dragonet verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
160 verified
Max depth (m)
200 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
Yes
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
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

Same genus Foetorepus

More from the family Callionymidae

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