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Bonnetmouth (Emmelichthys struhsakeri) — Emmelichthyidae

Bonnetmouth

Emmelichthys struhsakeri

The Bonnetmouth (Emmelichthys struhsakeri) is a saltwater fish of the family Emmelichthyidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
180–428 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Pacific Ocean; continental shelf and upper slope.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The rover is a rover (Emmelichthyidae) from the Pacific Ocean. The species has a slender, streamlined, reddish to silvery body and a highly protrusible mouth without large teeth. It lives on the continental shelf and upper slope and forms schools in mid-water. With its protrusible mouth it sifts zooplankton from the water column. It is a local food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bonnetmouth?

The Bonnetmouth has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Highly protrusible mouth without large teeth; schooling plankton-sifting predator.

Where does the Bonnetmouth live?

The Bonnetmouth lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Pacific Ocean; continental shelf and upper slope.

How big does the Bonnetmouth get?

The Bonnetmouth grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Bonnetmouth dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Bonnetmouth edible?

Yes, the Bonnetmouth is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bonnetmouth (Emmelichthys struhsakeri) — Emmelichthyidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bonnetmouth (Emmelichthys struhsakeri) — Emmelichthyidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Bonnetmouth (Emmelichthys struhsakeri) — Emmelichthyidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bonnetmouth (Emmelichthys struhsakeri) — Emmelichthyidae — 5
K. Graham, NSW Fisheries (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF

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All data

Identification

English name
Bonnetmouth verified
Scientific name
Emmelichthys struhsakeri
Family
Emmelichthyidae
Other names
Golden redbait; Rover verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
180 verified
Max depth (m)
428 verified
Natural range
Pacific Ocean; continental shelf and upper slope.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton, sieved from the water column sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Highly protrusible mouth without large teeth; schooling plankton-sifting predator. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly 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

Same genus Emmelichthys

More from the family Emmelichthyidae

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