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Blackspot boarfish (Zanclistius elevatus) — Pentacerotidae

Blackspot boarfish

Zanclistius elevatus

The Blackspot boarfish (Zanclistius elevatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pentacerotidae that grows up to 33 cm.

Length
33 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
30.0–500.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The longfin boarfish is a boarfish (Pentacerotidae) from the waters around southern Australia and New Zealand. The species has a deep, strongly laterally compressed body with a strongly raised, hard dorsal fin and dark crossbars. It lives on the continental shelf and upper slope. With its small mouth it snaps up small bottom invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackspot boarfish?

The Blackspot boarfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Blackspot boarfish live?

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

How big does the Blackspot boarfish get?

The Blackspot boarfish grows to a maximum of about 33 cm.

Is the Blackspot boarfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackspot boarfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackspot boarfish edible?

The Blackspot boarfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langvin-everzwijnvis sourced
English name
Blackspot boarfish verified
Scientific name
Zanclistius elevatus
Family
Pentacerotidae
Other names
Blackspot boarfish; Black-spotted boarfish; Boarfish; Duckfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
33.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups 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 Pentacerotidae

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