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Shy prettyfin (Plesiops verecundus) — Plesiopidae

Shy prettyfin

Plesiops verecundus
Family: Plesiopidae

The Shy prettyfin (Plesiops verecundus) is a saltwater fish of the family Plesiopidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Shy prettyfin is a prettyfin (Plesiopidae) from shallow rocky and coral-reef water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, dark body with fine light spots and conspicuously large, rounded dorsal, anal and pelvic fins. As a nocturnal, shy bottom-dweller it shelters deep in crevices and caves by day and hunts small crustaceans and small fish at night. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Shy prettyfin?

The Shy prettyfin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Shy prettyfin live?

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

How big does the Shy prettyfin get?

The Shy prettyfin grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Shy prettyfin dangerous to humans?

No, the Shy prettyfin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Schuwe prachtvinvis sourced
English name
Shy prettyfin sourced
Scientific name
Plesiops verecundus
Family
Plesiopidae
Other names
Redtip longfin sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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 Plesiops

More from the family Plesiopidae

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