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Spotted velvetfish (Erisphex pottii) — Aploactinidae

Spotted velvetfish

Erisphex pottii
Family: Aploactinidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Spotted velvetfish (Erisphex pottii) is a saltwater fish of the family Aploactinidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–64.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The spotted velvetfish is a small velvetfish from the northwest Pacific, off Japan, Korea and China. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a stocky body covered with velvety, scaleless skin and a mottled pattern that blends in well on soft bottoms. As a bottom-dweller it lies still in wait for small crustaceans and fish. The fish has spines in its fins; handle it with care. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotted velvetfish?

The Spotted velvetfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Spotted velvetfish live?

The Spotted velvetfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Spotted velvetfish get?

The Spotted velvetfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Spotted velvetfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotted velvetfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Spotted velvetfish edible?

The Spotted velvetfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gevlekte fluweelvis verified
English name
Spotted velvetfish verified
Scientific name
Erisphex pottii
Family
Aploactinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
64.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Erisphex

More from the family Aploactinidae

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