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Mezina nibbler (Girella mezina) — Kyphosidae

Mezina nibbler

Girella mezina
Family: Kyphosidae

The Mezina nibbler (Girella mezina) is a saltwater fish of the family Kyphosidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Mezina nibbler is a sea chub or nibbler (Kyphosidae) from reef water of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a deep, oval, dark grey-green body with a small mouth with incisor teeth. As a mainly plant-eating fish it grazes algae and weed from rocks and coral in the surf in schools. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mezina nibbler?

The Mezina nibbler has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Mezina nibbler live?

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

How big does the Mezina nibbler get?

The Mezina nibbler grows to a maximum of about 45 cm.

Is the Mezina nibbler dangerous to humans?

No, the Mezina nibbler is harmless to humans.

Is the Mezina nibbler edible?

Yes, the Mezina nibbler is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Mezina-zeekarper sourced
English name
Mezina nibbler sourced
Scientific name
Girella mezina
Family
Kyphosidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 Girella

More from the family Kyphosidae

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