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Pygmy poacher (Odontopyxis trispinosa) — Agonidae

Pygmy poacher

Odontopyxis trispinosa
Family: Agonidae

The Pygmy poacher (Odontopyxis trispinosa) is a saltwater fish of the family Agonidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
9.0–373.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The pygmy poacher is a small poacher (Agonidae) from the eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America. The species has a slender, elongate body entirely armoured with bony plates, and bears a few small spines on the head. It lives on soft sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf. On the bottom it feeds on small crustaceans and other invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pygmy poacher?

The Pygmy poacher has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Pygmy poacher live?

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

How big does the Pygmy poacher get?

The Pygmy poacher grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Pygmy poacher dangerous to humans?

No, the Pygmy poacher is harmless to humans.

Is the Pygmy poacher edible?

The Pygmy poacher is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwerg-harnasmannetje sourced
English name
Pygmy poacher verified
Scientific name
Odontopyxis trispinosa
Family
Agonidae
Other names
Pygmy poacher verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

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
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Agonidae

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