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Dwarf saury (Scomberesox simulans) — Scomberesocidae

Dwarf saury

Scomberesox simulans
LC · Least Concern

The Dwarf saury (Scomberesox simulans) is a saltwater fish of the family Scomberesocidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The dwarf saury is a small pelagic fish from warm parts of the Atlantic and Pacific. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a slender, silvery body with short, needlefish-like jaws and a row of small finlets behind the dorsal and anal fins. It forms schools in the surface water of the open ocean and eats small zooplankton. When threatened it can leap across the water surface. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf saury?

The Dwarf saury has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Dwarf saury live?

The Dwarf saury lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Dwarf saury get?

The Dwarf saury grows to a maximum of about 13 cm. On average the species is around 9 cm.

Is the Dwarf saury dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf saury is harmless to humans.

Is the Dwarf saury edible?

The Dwarf saury is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwerg-makreelgeep verified
English name
Dwarf saury verified
Scientific name
Scomberesox simulans
Family
Scomberesocidae
Other names
Dwarf saury verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Average length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Scomberesox

More from the family Scomberesocidae

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