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Blackspot bandfish (Acanthocepola limbata) — Cepolidae

Blackspot bandfish

Acanthocepola limbata
Family: Cepolidae

The Blackspot bandfish (Acanthocepola limbata) is a saltwater fish of the family Cepolidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
80.0–100.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The blackspot bandfish is a bandfish (Cepolidae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a strongly elongate, ribbon-like, red-pink body with long, continuous dorsal and anal fins and a black spot in the dorsal fin. As a bottom-dweller it lives in a vertical burrow in soft sand and mud bottoms, projecting its forebody to snap passing zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackspot bandfish?

The Blackspot bandfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Blackspot bandfish live?

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

How big does the Blackspot bandfish get?

The Blackspot bandfish grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Blackspot bandfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackspot bandfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackspot bandfish edible?

Yes, the Blackspot bandfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartvlek-lintvis sourced
English name
Blackspot bandfish sourced
Scientific name
Acanthocepola limbata
Family
Cepolidae
Other names
Blackspot bandfish; Black-spot bandfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
80.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Acanthocepola

More from the family Cepolidae

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