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Boarfish (Paristiopterus labiosus) — Pentacerotidae

Boarfish

Paristiopterus labiosus

The Boarfish (Paristiopterus labiosus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pentacerotidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–170.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The giant boarfish is a boarfish (Pentacerotidae) from the temperate waters of southern Australia and New Zealand. The species grows fairly large and has a deep, strongly laterally compressed body with a bony-armoured head, thick lips and tall, spiny fins. It lives on the continental shelf, often near rocky bottoms. As a bottom predator it feeds mainly on benthic organisms such as crustaceans, molluscs and worms. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Boarfish?

The Boarfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Boarfish live?

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

How big does the Boarfish get?

The Boarfish grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.

Is the Boarfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Boarfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Boarfish edible?

The Boarfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Reuzen-everzwijnvis sourced
English name
Boarfish verified
Scientific name
Paristiopterus labiosus
Family
Pentacerotidae
Other names
Common boarfish; Duckfish; Giant boarfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
170.0 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
Rarely eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Paristiopterus

More from the family Pentacerotidae

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