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Chilean marblefish (Aplodactylus punctatus) — Aplodactylidae

Chilean marblefish

Aplodactylus punctatus

The Chilean marblefish (Aplodactylus punctatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Aplodactylidae that grows up to 44 cm.

Length
43.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Chilean marblefish is a fish of the family Aplodactylidae from the southeastern Pacific off the coast of Chile and Peru. The species has an elongate, speckled body and is the most abundant littoral fish of central Chile, in close association with the brown kelp Lessonia. Juveniles live in tide pools. As a predominantly herbivorous fish it grazes algae and weed from the rocks with its specialised teeth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chilean marblefish?

The Chilean marblefish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Chilean marblefish live?

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

How big does the Chilean marblefish get?

The Chilean marblefish grows to a maximum of about 44 cm.

Is the Chilean marblefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Chilean marblefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Chilean marblefish edible?

The Chilean marblefish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Chileense marmervis sourced
English name
Chilean marblefish sourced
Scientific name
Aplodactylus punctatus
Family
Aplodactylidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
43.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) 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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore 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

Same genus Aplodactylus

More from the family Aplodactylidae

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