Home · Harpagiferidae · Magellan plunderfish
Magellan plunderfish (Harpagifer bispinis) — Harpagiferidae

Magellan plunderfish

Harpagifer bispinis
LC · Least Concern

The Magellan plunderfish (Harpagifer bispinis) is a saltwater fish of the family Harpagiferidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
40.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The spiny plunderfish is a plunderfish (Harpagiferidae) from the cold waters around southern South America and the subantarctic zone. The species is small and has a stocky body with a large head and spines on the gill cover. It lives mainly in shallow coastal waters, in tide pools and under rocks, but occurs down to forty or fifty metres. Probing the bottom, it feeds on small crustaceans, worms and other invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Magellan plunderfish?

The Magellan plunderfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Magellan plunderfish live?

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

How big does the Magellan plunderfish get?

The Magellan plunderfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Magellan plunderfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Magellan plunderfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Magellan plunderfish edible?

The Magellan plunderfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tweestekel-plunderaarvis sourced
English name
Magellan plunderfish verified
Scientific name
Harpagifer bispinis
Family
Harpagiferidae
Other names
Magellan plunderfish; Magellanic spiny plunderfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

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 Harpagifer

More from the family Harpagiferidae

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