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Banded blanquillo (Malacanthus latovittatus) — Malacanthidae

Banded blanquillo

Malacanthus latovittatus
Family: Malacanthidae

The Banded blanquillo (Malacanthus latovittatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Malacanthidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–65.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: American Samoa, Australia, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I. and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The banded blanquillo is a tilefish (Malacanthidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 45 cm and has an elongate, slender body; juveniles are white with a broad black longitudinal band, adults blue-grey. As a bottom-dweller it lives over sand and rubble flats near reefs, where it maintains a burrow, and snaps at small invertebrates and small fish. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded blanquillo?

The Banded blanquillo has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Banded blanquillo live?

The Banded blanquillo lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: American Samoa, Australia, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I. and others

How big does the Banded blanquillo get?

The Banded blanquillo grows to a maximum of about 45 cm. On average the species is around 35 cm.

Is the Banded blanquillo dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded blanquillo 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.

Is the Banded blanquillo edible?

Yes, the Banded blanquillo is commonly eaten.

More photos

Banded blanquillo (Malacanthus latovittatus) — Malacanthidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Bj.schoenmakers (CC0)
Banded blanquillo (Malacanthus latovittatus) — Malacanthidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Ioannis Magouras, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Banded blanquillo (Malacanthus latovittatus) — Malacanthidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) François Libert, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Banded blanquillo (Malacanthus latovittatus) — Malacanthidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Banded blanquillo sourced
Scientific name
Malacanthus latovittatus
Family
Malacanthidae
Other names
Blue blanquillo; Sand tilefish; Striped blanquillo; Blue latovittatus; Blue tilefish; False whiting; Eye of the sea verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Average length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
65.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: American Samoa, Australia, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I. and others 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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 Malacanthus

More from the family Malacanthidae

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