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Longarm brotula (Calamopteryx goslinei) — Bythitidae

Longarm brotula

Calamopteryx goslinei
Family: Bythitidae
LC · Least Concern

The Longarm brotula (Calamopteryx goslinei) is a saltwater fish of the family Bythitidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
9.0–55.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western central Atlantic
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The longarm brotula is a small, cryptic fish from the western central Atlantic, known from the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Dominica and the Antilles. It grows to about 6 cm and has an elongate body with long dorsal and anal fins, characteristic of the viviparous brotulas. It lives hidden in crevices and cavities of coral reefs between about 9 and 55 metres depth. The fish is livebearing and feeds as a carnivore on small invertebrates. The species is inconspicuous and rarely recorded, and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longarm brotula?

The Longarm brotula has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Secretive reef dweller; ovoviviparous with a long dorsal and anal fin

Where does the Longarm brotula live?

The Longarm brotula lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western central Atlantic

How big does the Longarm brotula get?

The Longarm brotula grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Longarm brotula dangerous to humans?

No, the Longarm brotula is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Longarm brotula edible?

The Longarm brotula is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Longarm brotula verified
Scientific name
Calamopteryx goslinei
Family
Bythitidae
Other names
Longarm brotula; Longarrn Brotula verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
9.0 verified
Max depth (m)
55.0 verified
Natural range
Western central Atlantic verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Hidden-living reef dweller; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Secretive reef dweller; ovoviviparous with a long dorsal and anal fin sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Bythitidae

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