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Australian bandfish (Cepola australis) — Cepolidae

Australian bandfish

Cepola australis
Family: Cepolidae

The Australian bandfish (Cepola australis) is a saltwater fish of the family Cepolidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The Australian bandfish is a bandfish (Cepolidae) from coastal waters of southern Australia. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a strongly elongate, ribbon-shaped, orange-red body with a long, continuous dorsal and anal fin. As a bottom-dweller it lives in a self-dug vertical burrow in sand and mud bottoms, from which it protrudes its forebody to snap at passing zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Australian bandfish?

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

Where does the Australian bandfish live?

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

How big does the Australian bandfish get?

The Australian bandfish grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Australian bandfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Australian bandfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Australian bandfish (Cepola australis) — Cepolidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Australian bandfish (Cepola australis) — Cepolidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — P. Clarke (Public domain)
Australian bandfish (Cepola australis) — Cepolidae — 4
Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
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All data

Identification

English name
Australian bandfish sourced
Scientific name
Cepola australis
Family
Cepolidae
Other names
Bandfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 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
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Cepola

More from the family Cepolidae

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