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Pelagic armorhead (Pentaceros richardsoni) — Pentacerotidae

Pelagic armorhead

Pentaceros richardsoni

The Pelagic armorhead (Pentaceros richardsoni) is a saltwater fish of the family Pentacerotidae that grows up to 56 cm.

Length
56 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–1000.0 m
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The pelagic armorhead is an armorhead (Pentacerotidae) from deeper water around seamounts and slopes of southern Australia and the southern oceans. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a deep, sturdy body with a head conspicuously armoured with exposed bone. As a bottom-oriented fish around seamounts it snaps at crustaceans, small plankton and small fish. It is commercially fished. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pelagic armorhead?

The Pelagic armorhead has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Pelagic armorhead live?

The Pelagic armorhead lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Pelagic armorhead get?

The Pelagic armorhead grows to a maximum of about 56 cm.

Is the Pelagic armorhead dangerous to humans?

No, the Pelagic armorhead is harmless to humans.

Is the Pelagic armorhead edible?

Yes, the Pelagic armorhead is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pelagische pantserkop sourced
English name
Pelagic armorhead sourced
Scientific name
Pentaceros richardsoni
Family
Pentacerotidae
Other names
Pelagic armorhead; Pelagic armourhead verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
56.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1000.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
60.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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 Pentaceros

More from the family Pentacerotidae

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