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Ocellated prickleback (Opisthocentrus ocellatus) — Stichaeidae

Ocellated prickleback

Opisthocentrus ocellatus
Family: Stichaeidae

The Ocellated prickleback (Opisthocentrus ocellatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Stichaeidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–335.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The ocellated prickleback is an elongate prickleback (Stichaeidae) from cold coastal waters of the northwest Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an eel-like, brown-mottled body with a long, continuous dorsal fin bearing a few black, pale-rimmed eyespots. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among weed, stones and empty shells of shallow coastal water and eats small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ocellated prickleback?

The Ocellated prickleback has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Ocellated prickleback live?

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

How big does the Ocellated prickleback get?

The Ocellated prickleback grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Ocellated prickleback dangerous to humans?

No, the Ocellated prickleback is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Oogvlek-baardprik sourced
English name
Ocellated prickleback sourced
Scientific name
Opisthocentrus ocellatus
Family
Stichaeidae
Other names
Ocellated blenny sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

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

More from the family Stichaeidae

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