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Orange-lined wormfish (Gunnellichthys viridescens) — Microdesmidae

Orange-lined wormfish

Gunnellichthys viridescens
Family: Microdesmidae

The Orange-lined wormfish (Gunnellichthys viridescens) is a saltwater fish of the family Microdesmidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1–50 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Bahrain, Guam, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait and others

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Description

The orange-lined wormfish is a slender wormfish (Microdesmidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a strongly elongate, pale body with an orange longitudinal line and a long, low dorsal fin. It hovers just above sand and rubble bottoms near reefs and darts into a burrow at lightning speed when threatened; it eats small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Orange-lined wormfish?

The Orange-lined wormfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Orange-lined wormfish live?

The Orange-lined wormfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Bahrain, Guam, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait and others

How big does the Orange-lined wormfish get?

The Orange-lined wormfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Orange-lined wormfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Orange-lined wormfish 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.

More photos

Orange-lined wormfish (Gunnellichthys viridescens) — Microdesmidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Orange-lined wormfish (Gunnellichthys viridescens) — Microdesmidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Orange-lined wormfish (Gunnellichthys viridescens) — Microdesmidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Orange-lined wormfish (Gunnellichthys viridescens) — Microdesmidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Virginie Zajdel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Orange-lined wormfish sourced
Scientific name
Gunnellichthys viridescens
Family
Microdesmidae
Other names
Orange-stripe worm-goby; Yellowstripe wormfish; Orange-line worm goby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1 verified
Max depth (m)
50 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Bahrain, Guam, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait and others sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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

Same genus Gunnellichthys

More from the family Microdesmidae

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