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Barbed seabass (Malakichthys barbatus) — Acropomatidae

Barbed seabass

Malakichthys barbatus
Family: Acropomatidae

The Barbed seabass (Malakichthys barbatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Acropomatidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
100.0–600.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The barbed seabass is a temperate ocean-bass (Acropomatidae) of the continental slope in the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a stocky, silvery body with very large eyes, stout fin spines and a small chin barbel. As a bottom-oriented fish of the dim deep water it snaps at small crustaceans, small fish and zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barbed seabass?

The Barbed seabass has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Barbed seabass live?

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

How big does the Barbed seabass get?

The Barbed seabass grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Barbed seabass dangerous to humans?

No, the Barbed seabass is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Baard-diepwaterbaars sourced
English name
Barbed seabass sourced
Scientific name
Malakichthys barbatus
Family
Acropomatidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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 verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Malakichthys

More from the family Acropomatidae

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