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Ocellated plesiops (Plesiops nigricans) — Plesiopidae

Ocellated plesiops

Plesiops nigricans
Family: Plesiopidae
LC · Least Concern

The Ocellated plesiops (Plesiops nigricans) is a saltwater fish of the family Plesiopidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The whitespotted longfin is a longfin (Plesiopidae) from the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The species is small and has a dark body with light spots and large, rounded fins. Adults inhabit coral reefs, where they hide in holes and crevices by day. At night they emerge to hunt small crustaceans and small fishes. During breeding the male guards the egg clutch. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ocellated plesiops?

The Ocellated plesiops has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Ocellated plesiops live?

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

How big does the Ocellated plesiops get?

The Ocellated plesiops grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Ocellated plesiops dangerous to humans?

No, the Ocellated plesiops is harmless to humans.

Is the Ocellated plesiops edible?

The Ocellated plesiops is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Donkere juweelbaars sourced
English name
Ocellated plesiops verified
Scientific name
Plesiops nigricans
Family
Plesiopidae
Other names
Whitespotted longfin verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Plesiops

More from the family Plesiopidae

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