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Pacific sandfish (Trichodon trichodon) — Trichodontidae

Pacific sandfish

Trichodon trichodon

The Pacific sandfish (Trichodon trichodon) is a saltwater fish of the family Trichodontidae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
30.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–375.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Pacific sandfish is a sandfish (Trichodontidae) from the northern Pacific. The species has a laterally compressed, scaleless body with upward-directed eyes and an oblique, fringed mouth. It buries in the sand up to just below the eyes and waits there for prey. Adults live in deeper water, while larvae and juveniles occupy shallow, nearshore habitats. As an ambush hunter it takes small fishes and crustaceans. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pacific sandfish?

The Pacific sandfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Pacific sandfish live?

The Pacific sandfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Pacific sandfish get?

The Pacific sandfish grows to a maximum of about 31 cm.

Is the Pacific sandfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Pacific sandfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Pacific sandfish edible?

The Pacific sandfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pacifische zandvis sourced
English name
Pacific sandfish verified
Scientific name
Trichodon trichodon
Family
Trichodontidae
Other names
Pacific sandfish; Sandfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
375.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Trichodontidae

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