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Bigspine boarfish (Pentaceros quinquespinis) — Pentacerotidae

Bigspine boarfish

Pentaceros quinquespinis

The Bigspine boarfish (Pentaceros quinquespinis) is a saltwater fish of the family Pentacerotidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
175.0–210.0 m
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The bigspine boarfish is an armorhead (Pentacerotidae) of the continental slope in the southern Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, greyish body with a large head armoured with rough bony plates and stout dorsal and pelvic spines. As a bottom-oriented fish of deep water it searches for small crustaceans, worms and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigspine boarfish?

The Bigspine boarfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Bigspine boarfish live?

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

How big does the Bigspine boarfish get?

The Bigspine boarfish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Bigspine boarfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigspine boarfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vijfdoorn-harnaskop sourced
English name
Bigspine boarfish sourced
Scientific name
Pentaceros quinquespinis
Family
Pentacerotidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
30 inferred
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
175.0 verified
Max depth (m)
210.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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 Pentaceros

More from the family Pentacerotidae

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