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Reticulate goosefish (Lophiodes reticulatus) — Lophiidae

Reticulate goosefish

Lophiodes reticulatus
Family: Lophiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Reticulate goosefish (Lophiodes reticulatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Lophiidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
64–820 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic; bottom of the continental shelf.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The reticulate goosefish is a monkfish (Lophiidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species has a strongly flattened, broad body with an enormous, upturned mouth and on the head an elongated first dorsal fin ray with a lure, with which it draws prey toward its mouth. A net-like pattern on the skin provides camouflage. It lives on the bottom of the continental shelf. As a voracious ambush hunter it engulfs fishes and other prey with its large mouth, which can be larger than expected. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Reticulate goosefish?

The Reticulate goosefish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Small lure on the head and net-like camouflage; voracious ambush predator.

Where does the Reticulate goosefish live?

The Reticulate goosefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic; bottom of the continental shelf.

How big does the Reticulate goosefish get?

The Reticulate goosefish grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Reticulate goosefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Reticulate goosefish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Reticulate goosefish edible?

The Reticulate goosefish is rarely eaten.

More photos

Reticulate goosefish (Lophiodes reticulatus) — Lophiidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — J. H. Caruso (CC BY 2.0)

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All data

Identification

English name
Reticulate goosefish verified
Scientific name
Lophiodes reticulatus
Family
Lophiidae
Other names
Reticulated goosefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25 verified
Average length (cm)
15 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Spots
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Superior (upward)
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
64 verified
Max depth (m)
820 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic; bottom of the continental shelf.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes and other bottom prey 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
Small lure on the head and net-like camouflage; voracious ambush predator. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
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

Same genus Lophiodes

More from the family Lophiidae

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