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Nickol Bay hairtail (Trichiurus nickolensis) — Trichiuridae

Nickol Bay hairtail

Trichiurus nickolensis
Family: Trichiuridae

The Nickol Bay hairtail (Trichiurus nickolensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Trichiuridae that grows up to 70 cm.

Length
70.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–79.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Nickol Bay hairtail is a hairtail (Trichiuridae) from turbid coastal and estuarine water of northwestern Australia. The species grows to about 80 cm and has a very elongate, ribbon-like, shiny silvery body without a true tail fin, ending in a thin filament, and a mouth full of sharp teeth. As a predator it makes daily vertical migrations and hunts small fish, squid and crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Nickol Bay hairtail?

The Nickol Bay hairtail has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Nickol Bay hairtail live?

The Nickol Bay hairtail lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Nickol Bay hairtail get?

The Nickol Bay hairtail grows to a maximum of about 70 cm.

Is the Nickol Bay hairtail dangerous to humans?

No, the Nickol Bay hairtail is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Nickol Bay-haarstaartvis sourced
English name
Nickol Bay hairtail sourced
Scientific name
Trichiurus nickolensis
Family
Trichiuridae
Other names
Australian short tailed hairtail sourced

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
70.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Max depth (m)
79.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Te vangen met natuurlijk aas of kunstaas, afgestemd op de grootte en het leefgebied van de soort. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Trichiurus

More from the family Trichiuridae

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