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Tristan klipfish (Bovichtus diacanthus) — Bovichtidae

Tristan klipfish

Bovichtus diacanthus
Family: Bovichtidae

The Tristan klipfish (Bovichtus diacanthus) is a saltwater fish of the family Bovichtidae that grows up to 19 cm.

Length
18.9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–20.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Tristan klipfish is a thornfish (Bovichtidae) from cool coastal waters of the waters around Tristan da Cunha in the southern Atlantic. The species grows to about 15-30 cm and has a stocky body with a broad, flattened head, large, fan-shaped pectoral fins and a brown-mottled, scale-poor body. As a bottom-dweller it perches among rocks and weed of the surf and tide pools and seizes small crustaceans, molluscs and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tristan klipfish?

The Tristan klipfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Tristan klipfish live?

The Tristan klipfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Tristan klipfish get?

The Tristan klipfish grows to a maximum of about 19 cm.

Is the Tristan klipfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Tristan klipfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tristan-klipvis sourced
English name
Tristan klipfish sourced
Scientific name
Bovichtus diacanthus
Family
Bovichtidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Bovichtus

More from the family Bovichtidae

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