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Chain pearlfish (Echiodon dawsoni) — Carapidae

Chain pearlfish

Echiodon dawsoni
Family: Carapidae
LC · Least Concern

The Chain pearlfish (Echiodon dawsoni) is a saltwater fish of the family Carapidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
60.0–180.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic, demersal on the bottom of the continental shelf.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The chain pearlfish is a pearlfish (family Carapidae) of the western Atlantic. The species reaches about 11 cm and has a slender, eel-like, translucent silver-pink body tapering to a point. It lives demersally on the bottom of the continental shelf and is an uncommon, seldom-seen species. Its diet consists of small crustaceans and other small invertebrates. Related pearlfishes are known to live inside the bodies of sea cucumbers or shellfish; for this species that is not certain. It is harmless to humans and of no fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chain pearlfish?

The Chain pearlfish has a snake-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Slender, translucent small pearlfish; related pearlfishes sometimes live inside the body of sea cucumbers or shellfish.

Where does the Chain pearlfish live?

The Chain pearlfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic, demersal on the bottom of the continental shelf.

How big does the Chain pearlfish get?

The Chain pearlfish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Chain pearlfish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Chain pearlfish edible?

The Chain pearlfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Chain pearlfish verified
Scientific name
Echiodon dawsoni
Family
Carapidae
Other names
Chain pearlfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.2 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
60.0 verified
Max depth (m)
180.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic, demersal on the bottom of the continental shelf. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and other small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Slender, translucent small pearlfish; related pearlfishes sometimes live inside the body of sea cucumbers or shellfish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

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 Echiodon

More from the family Carapidae

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