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Smooth razorfish (Centriscus cristatus) — Centriscidae

Smooth razorfish

Centriscus cristatus
Family: Centriscidae

The Smooth razorfish (Centriscus cristatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Centriscidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–10.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The smooth razorfish is a peculiar shrimpfish (Centriscidae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a thin, blade-shaped body encased in a glassy, transparent armour with a sharp ventral edge, and a long tubular snout. It swims characteristically head-down, often in small schools among seagrass and sea-urchin spines, and sucks up small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Smooth razorfish?

The Smooth razorfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Smooth razorfish live?

The Smooth razorfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Smooth razorfish get?

The Smooth razorfish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Smooth razorfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Smooth razorfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kam-snippevis sourced
English name
Smooth razorfish sourced
Scientific name
Centriscus cristatus
Family
Centriscidae
Other names
Smooth razorfish; Smooth razor-fish; Wafer shrimpfish; Water shrimpfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 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 Centriscus

More from the family Centriscidae

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