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Longtail seamoth (Pegasus volitans) — Pegasidae

Longtail seamoth

Pegasus volitans
Family: Pegasidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Longtail seamoth (Pegasus volitans) is a brackish-water fish of the family Pegasidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
1.0–73.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The longtail seamoth is a seamoth (Pegasidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a body armoured with bony plates, large, wing-like spread pectoral fins, a long, movable snout and a relatively long tail. It is a rare species of mud and sand bottoms of estuaries and bays, where it 'walks' over the bottom with its pelvic fins. With its tube-shaped snout it sucks up small bottom invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longtail seamoth?

The Longtail seamoth has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Longtail seamoth live?

The Longtail seamoth lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Longtail seamoth get?

The Longtail seamoth grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Longtail seamoth dangerous to humans?

No, the Longtail seamoth is harmless to humans.

Is the Longtail seamoth edible?

The Longtail seamoth is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langstaart-zeemot sourced
English name
Longtail seamoth verified
Scientific name
Pegasus volitans
Family
Pegasidae
Other names
Longtail seamoth; Longtail seamouth; Long-tailed dragonfish; Pelagic dragon-fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
73.0 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
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

More from the family Pegasidae

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