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Blotched tripodfish (Pseudotriacanthus strigilifer) — Triacanthidae

Blotched tripodfish

Pseudotriacanthus strigilifer
Family: Triacanthidae

The Blotched tripodfish (Pseudotriacanthus strigilifer) is a brackish-water fish of the family Triacanthidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
2–110 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; sandy and muddy coastal flats.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The longspine tripodfish is a tripodfish (Triacanthidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a laterally compressed body with a rough skin, a long, stout first dorsal spine and stout pelvic spines that it can lock. It inhabits coastal and estuarine waters on sandy or muddy flats to usually sixty metres depth. With its small mouth it takes small bottom invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blotched tripodfish?

The Blotched tripodfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Long, lockable dorsal and pelvic fin spines and rough skin; bottom fish of coastal plains.

Where does the Blotched tripodfish live?

The Blotched tripodfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific; sandy and muddy coastal flats.

How big does the Blotched tripodfish get?

The Blotched tripodfish grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Blotched tripodfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blotched tripodfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blotched tripodfish edible?

The Blotched tripodfish is rarely eaten.

More photos

Blotched tripodfish (Pseudotriacanthus strigilifer) — Triacanthidae — 2
Paul Darke (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — Atlas of Living Australia
Blotched tripodfish (Pseudotriacanthus strigilifer) — Triacanthidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Venkatesh Saroj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blotched tripodfish (Pseudotriacanthus strigilifer) — Triacanthidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Gordon Chen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blotched tripodfish (Pseudotriacanthus strigilifer) — Triacanthidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Gordon Chen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Blotched tripodfish verified
Scientific name
Pseudotriacanthus strigilifer
Family
Triacanthidae
Other names
Golden triplespine; Long spined tripod fish; Longspine tripodfish; Long-spined tripod fish; Long-spined tripodfish; Triplespine fish; Tripodfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25 verified
Average length (cm)
20 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
2 verified
Max depth (m)
110 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; sandy and muddy coastal flats.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Long, lockable dorsal and pelvic fin spines and rough skin; bottom fish of coastal plains. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Triacanthidae

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