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Pygmy poacher (Odontopyxis trispinosa) — Agonidae

Pygmy poacher

Odontopyxis trispinosa
Family: Agonidae

The Pygmy poacher (Odontopyxis trispinosa) is a saltwater fish of the family Agonidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
9–373 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific off North America; soft bottoms of the shelf.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The pygmy poacher is a small poacher (Agonidae) from the eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America. The species has a slender, elongate body entirely armoured with bony plates, and bears a few small spines on the head. It lives on soft sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf. On the bottom it feeds on small crustaceans and other invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pygmy poacher?

The Pygmy poacher has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Dwarf fish entirely armoured with bony plates; bottom-dweller of soft bottoms.

Where does the Pygmy poacher live?

The Pygmy poacher lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific off North America; soft bottoms of the shelf.

How big does the Pygmy poacher get?

The Pygmy poacher grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Pygmy poacher dangerous to humans?

No, the Pygmy poacher is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Pygmy poacher edible?

The Pygmy poacher is not usually eaten.

More photos

Pygmy poacher (Odontopyxis trispinosa) — Agonidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) brooklyyn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Pygmy poacher (Odontopyxis trispinosa) — Agonidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) gena_northwest, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Pygmy poacher (Odontopyxis trispinosa) — Agonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Kennedy Rivera, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Pygmy poacher (Odontopyxis trispinosa) — Agonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Sara Thiebaud, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Pygmy poacher verified
Scientific name
Odontopyxis trispinosa
Family
Agonidae
Other names
Pygmy poacher verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
9 verified
Max depth (m)
373 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific off North America; soft bottoms of the shelf.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and other invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Dwarf fish entirely armoured with bony plates; bottom-dweller of soft bottoms. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Agonidae

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