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Gray goblinfish (Minous monodactylus) — Synanceiidae

Gray goblinfish

Minous monodactylus
Family: Synanceiidae

The Gray goblinfish (Minous monodactylus) is a saltwater fish of the family Synanceiidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–55.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The grey goblinfish is a bottom-bound stonefish relative (Synanceiidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a stocky, grey-brown body, a large head and a free lower pectoral ray that serves as a feeler. The dorsal spines are linked to venom glands and a sting is painful. As a bottom-dweller it lies half-buried on sand and mud bottoms between about ten and fifty-five metres and snaps at small crustaceans and small fish. Handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gray goblinfish?

The Gray goblinfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Gray goblinfish live?

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

How big does the Gray goblinfish get?

The Gray goblinfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Gray goblinfish dangerous to humans?

The Gray goblinfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

Is the Gray goblinfish edible?

The Gray goblinfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Grijze duivelsvis verified
English name
Gray goblinfish verified
Scientific name
Minous monodactylus
Family
Synanceiidae
Other names
Grey goblin fish; Grey goblinfish; Grey stingfish; Stonefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Minous

More from the family Synanceiidae

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