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Filament-finned dartfish (Ptereleotris hanae) — Microdesmidae

Filament-finned dartfish

Ptereleotris hanae
Family: Microdesmidae

The Filament-finned dartfish (Ptereleotris hanae) is a saltwater fish of the family Microdesmidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3–50 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, French Polynesia, Kiribati and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Filament-finned dartfish is a dartfish (Microdesmidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate, blue body. Males have strongly elongate, thread-like dorsal-fin rays. It hovers just above sand and rubble bottoms near reefs and darts into a burrow at lightning speed when threatened; it eats zooplankton from the current. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Filament-finned dartfish?

The Filament-finned dartfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Filament-finned dartfish live?

The Filament-finned dartfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, French Polynesia, Kiribati and others

How big does the Filament-finned dartfish get?

The Filament-finned dartfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Filament-finned dartfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Filament-finned dartfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Filament-finned dartfish edible?

Yes, the Filament-finned dartfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Filament-finned dartfish (Ptereleotris hanae) — Microdesmidae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Filament-finned dartfish (Ptereleotris hanae) — Microdesmidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Erik Schlögl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Filament-finned dartfish (Ptereleotris hanae) — Microdesmidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Izuzuki (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Filament-finned dartfish (Ptereleotris hanae) — Microdesmidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Sue Churchill, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Filament-finned dartfish sourced
Scientific name
Ptereleotris hanae
Family
Microdesmidae
Other names
Blue hana goby; Filament dartfish; Threadfin dartfish; Thread-tail dartgoby; Thread-tail dart-goby; Blue goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Forked

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3 verified
Max depth (m)
50 verified
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, French Polynesia, Kiribati and others sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Ptereleotris

More from the family Microdesmidae

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