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Tommyfish (Limnichthys polyactis) — Creediidae

Tommyfish

Limnichthys polyactis
Family: Creediidae

The Tommyfish (Limnichthys polyactis) is a saltwater fish of the family Creediidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–6.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The tommyfish is a small sandburrower (Creediidae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, pale, partly translucent body with high-set eyes. As a bottom-dweller it often lies buried up to the eyes in sand bottoms near reefs and from there snaps at passing small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tommyfish?

The Tommyfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly white.

Where does the Tommyfish live?

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

How big does the Tommyfish get?

The Tommyfish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Tommyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Tommyfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tommy-zandduiker sourced
English name
Tommyfish sourced
Scientific name
Limnichthys polyactis
Family
Creediidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
6.0 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 Limnichthys

More from the family Creediidae

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