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Sharpnose duckbill (Bembrops filiferus) — Percophidae

Sharpnose duckbill

Bembrops filiferus
Family: Percophidae

The Sharpnose duckbill (Bembrops filiferus) is a saltwater fish of the family Percophidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
62–450 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Deeper waters of the ocean; soft sandy bottoms of the shelf and slope.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The duckbill is a duckbill (Percophidae) from the deeper waters of the ocean. The species has an elongate body with a flattened head and a broad, duckbill-like snout and large eyes; some fin rays trail thread-like, to which the name refers. It lives bottom-dwelling on soft sand bottoms of the continental shelf and slope. As an ambush hunter it springs on small crustaceans and small fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sharpnose duckbill?

The Sharpnose duckbill has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Flattened head with a duckbill-like snout and thread-like fin rays; bottom ambush predator.

Where does the Sharpnose duckbill live?

The Sharpnose duckbill lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Deeper waters of the ocean; soft sandy bottoms of the shelf and slope.

How big does the Sharpnose duckbill get?

The Sharpnose duckbill grows to a maximum of about 22 cm.

Is the Sharpnose duckbill dangerous to humans?

No, the Sharpnose duckbill is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Sharpnose duckbill edible?

The Sharpnose duckbill is not usually eaten.

Want the complete picture on the Sharpnose duckbill?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Sharpnose duckbill is one of 12,519 species in the app.

All data

Identification

English name
Sharpnose duckbill verified
Scientific name
Bembrops filiferus
Family
Percophidae
Other names
Sharpnosed duckbill verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Spots
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
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)
62 verified
Max depth (m)
450 verified
Natural range
Deeper waters of the ocean; soft sandy bottoms of the shelf and slope.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and small fishes 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
Flattened head with a duckbill-like snout and thread-like fin rays; bottom ambush predator. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not 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 Bembrops

More from the family Percophidae

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