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Northern spearnose poacher (Agonopsis vulsa) — Agonidae

Northern spearnose poacher

Agonopsis vulsa
Family: Agonidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Northern spearnose poacher (Agonopsis vulsa) is a saltwater fish of the family Agonidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–163.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The northern spearnose poacher is a small poacher from the eastern Pacific, ranging from southeastern Alaska to southern California. It grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate body fully armoured with bony plates and a pointed, forward-projecting snout. The fish lives as a bottom-dweller on soft sediments from just offshore to more than 160 metres depth. It bears two separate dorsal fins. Little is recorded on its diet and reproduction; related poachers eat small benthic invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Northern spearnose poacher?

The Northern spearnose poacher has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Northern spearnose poacher live?

The Northern spearnose poacher lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Northern spearnose poacher get?

The Northern spearnose poacher grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Northern spearnose poacher dangerous to humans?

No, the Northern spearnose poacher is harmless to humans.

Is the Northern spearnose poacher edible?

The Northern spearnose poacher is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Noordelijke speerneusharnasman verified
English name
Northern spearnose poacher verified
Scientific name
Agonopsis vulsa
Family
Agonidae
Other names
Northern spearnose poacher; Windowtail poacher; Window-tailed sea-poacher verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes inferred
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not 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

Same genus Agonopsis

More from the family Agonidae

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