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Elegant threadfin (Polynemus multifilis) — Polynemidae

Elegant threadfin

Polynemus multifilis
Family: Polynemidae

The Elegant threadfin (Polynemus multifilis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Polynemidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
28 cm
Water
Brackish
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The elegant threadfin is a threadfin (Polynemidae) from fresh and brackish water of the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 28 cm and has a silvery body with a blunt snout above an underslung mouth and a conspicuous bundle of very long, thread-like lower pectoral rays with which it feels for prey in turbid water. As a bottom-oriented fish it searches rivers for shrimp, worms and small fish. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Elegant threadfin?

The Elegant threadfin has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Elegant threadfin live?

The Elegant threadfin lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Elegant threadfin get?

The Elegant threadfin grows to a maximum of about 28 cm.

Is the Elegant threadfin dangerous to humans?

No, the Elegant threadfin is harmless to humans.

Is the Elegant threadfin edible?

Yes, the Elegant threadfin is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sierlijke draadvinvis sourced
English name
Elegant threadfin sourced
Scientific name
Polynemus multifilis
Family
Polynemidae
Other names
Elegant paradiseus fish; Fringed threadfin verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Polynemus

More from the family Polynemidae

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