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Redfingers (Cheilodactylus fasciatus) — Cheilodactylidae

Redfingers

Cheilodactylus fasciatus

The Redfingers (Cheilodactylus fasciatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Cheilodactylidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
1.0–120.0 m
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Namibia, South Africa
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The redfingers is a morwong (Cheilodactylidae) from coastal waters of southern Africa. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a deep, pale body with red-brown crossbands and a few free, finger-like lower pectoral rays with which it feels over the bottom. As a bottom-dweller it lives around rocky reefs and searches for small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Redfingers?

The Redfingers has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Redfingers live?

The Redfingers lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: Namibia, South Africa

How big does the Redfingers get?

The Redfingers grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Redfingers dangerous to humans?

No, the Redfingers is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Redfingers edible?

The Redfingers is rarely eaten.

More photos

Redfingers (Cheilodactylus fasciatus) — Cheilodactylidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Peter Southwood, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Redfingers (Cheilodactylus fasciatus) — Cheilodactylidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Peter Southwood (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Redfingers (Cheilodactylus fasciatus) — Cheilodactylidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Peter Southwood (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Redfingers (Cheilodactylus fasciatus) — Cheilodactylidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Mike, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Redfingers sourced
Scientific name
Cheilodactylus fasciatus
Family
Cheilodactylidae
Other names
Redfingers verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
120.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Namibia, South Africa sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Cheilodactylus

More from the family Cheilodactylidae

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