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Atlantic sea raven (Hemitripterus americanus) — Hemitripteridae

Atlantic sea raven

Hemitripterus americanus
LC · Least Concern

The Atlantic sea raven (Hemitripterus americanus) is a saltwater fish of the family Hemitripteridae that grows up to 68 cm.

Length
68 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–180.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Atlantic sea raven (Hemitripterus americanus) is a large, stocky bottom fish of the family Hemitripteridae from the cold northwestern Atlantic, ranging from Labrador to Chesapeake Bay. It grows to about 60 cm and has a broad head covered with spines and skin flaps, a large mouth and a mottled brownish-red skin giving excellent camouflage on rocky and sandy bottoms. A slow-moving ambush predator, it preys on fishes, crustaceans and other bottom animals. Harmless to people, it is rarely eaten, though sometimes landed as bycatch.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Atlantic sea raven?

The Atlantic sea raven has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Atlantic sea raven live?

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

How big does the Atlantic sea raven get?

The Atlantic sea raven grows to a maximum of about 68 cm.

Is the Atlantic sea raven dangerous to humans?

No, the Atlantic sea raven is harmless to humans.

Is the Atlantic sea raven edible?

The Atlantic sea raven is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Atlantische zeeraaf inferred
English name
Atlantic sea raven verified
Scientific name
Hemitripterus americanus
Family
Hemitripteridae
Other names
Bullhead; Cabezon; Gurnet; Muddler; Puff-belly verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Hemitripterus

More from the family Hemitripteridae

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