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Deepwater basketfish (Kentrocapros rosapinto) — Aracanidae

Deepwater basketfish

Kentrocapros rosapinto
Family: Aracanidae

The Deepwater basketfish (Kentrocapros rosapinto) is a saltwater fish of the family Aracanidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
125.0–250.0 m
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The deepwater basketfish is a boxfish relative (Aracanidae) of deeper coastal and slope waters of the western Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a hard, angular body armoured with fused bony plates, like a basket, from which only the fins, mouth and tail protrude. As a sluggish bottom-dweller it picks small invertebrates from sand and mud bottoms. Under strong stress it can, like other boxfish, release a toxin into the water; on contact it is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deepwater basketfish?

The Deepwater basketfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Deepwater basketfish live?

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

How big does the Deepwater basketfish get?

The Deepwater basketfish grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Deepwater basketfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Deepwater basketfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Diepzee-mandvis sourced
English name
Deepwater basketfish sourced
Scientific name
Kentrocapros rosapinto
Family
Aracanidae
Other names
Basketfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.3 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
125.0 verified
Max depth (m)
250.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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 Kentrocapros

More from the family Aracanidae

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