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Silver bonefish (Albula argentea) — Albulidae

Silver bonefish

Albula argentea
Family: Albulidae

The Silver bonefish (Albula argentea) is a saltwater fish of the family Albulidae that grows up to 70 cm.

Length
70 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–90.0 m
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Tahiti, Marquesas Is., French Polynesia and others

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Description

The Silver bonefish is a bonefish (Albulidae) from shallow tropical coastal waters and sand flats of the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a streamlined, bright-silvery body with a downward-pointing, pig-like snout. As a bottom-oriented fish it roots on sandy tidal flats for worms, shellfish, crustaceans and small fish. It is a famed, hard-fighting sport fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Silver bonefish?

The Silver bonefish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Silver bonefish live?

The Silver bonefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Tahiti, Marquesas Is., French Polynesia and others

How big does the Silver bonefish get?

The Silver bonefish grows to a maximum of about 70 cm.

Is the Silver bonefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Silver bonefish 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.

More photos

Silver bonefish (Albula argentea) — Albulidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Adam Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Silver bonefish (Albula argentea) — Albulidae — 3
Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Silver bonefish (Albula argentea) — Albulidae — 4
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Silver bonefish (Albula argentea) — Albulidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) hakkahamushi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Silver bonefish sourced
Scientific name
Albula argentea
Family
Albulidae
Other names
Bonefish; Ghost of the flats; Grey ghost; Lady fish; Longjaw bonefish; Pacific bonefish; Sharpjaw bonefish; Banana-fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
70.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
90.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Tahiti, Marquesas Is., French Polynesia and others 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

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 Albula

More from the family Albulidae

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