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Coral shrimpfish (Aeoliscus strigatus) — Centriscidae

Coral shrimpfish

Aeoliscus strigatus
Family: Centriscidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Coral shrimpfish (Aeoliscus strigatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Centriscidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–42.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The razorfish is a remarkable coastal fish of the shrimpfish family (Centriscidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a very thin body encased in transparent bony plates and a long, tubular snout. Characteristically the fish swims head-down, almost vertically, in synchronised schools. It likes to shelter among the long spines of sea urchins (Diadema) or in staghorn coral and feeds on small zooplankton, which it sucks up with the tubular snout. Owing to limited data the species is assessed as Data Deficient (DD). It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Coral shrimpfish?

The Coral shrimpfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Coral shrimpfish live?

The Coral shrimpfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Coral shrimpfish get?

The Coral shrimpfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Coral shrimpfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Coral shrimpfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Coral shrimpfish edible?

The Coral shrimpfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Schaarbekje sourced
English name
Coral shrimpfish verified
Scientific name
Aeoliscus strigatus
Family
Centriscidae
Other names
Coral shrimpfish; Jointed razorfish; Razorfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
42.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Centriscidae

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