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Spotted-tail duckbill (Bembrops caudimacula) — Percophidae

Spotted-tail duckbill

Bembrops caudimacula
Family: Percophidae

The Spotted-tail duckbill (Bembrops caudimacula) is a saltwater fish of the family Percophidae that grows up to 24 cm.

Length
24.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
186.0–500.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The spotted-tail duckbill is a slender bottom fish of the family Percophidae (duckbills) reaching about 24 cm. The flattened head extends into a broad, flattened, duck-bill-like snout, with large eyes directed upward and forward - features suited to a life lying on soft bottoms, watching for prey; a dark spot sits on the tail. The species lives on soft bottoms of the deeper continental shelf and upper slope of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. On the bottom it ambushes small crustaceans, shrimps and small fish. Because of its deep lifestyle and small size it has no fishery value and is only rarely seen.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotted-tail duckbill?

The Spotted-tail duckbill has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Spotted-tail duckbill live?

The Spotted-tail duckbill lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Spotted-tail duckbill get?

The Spotted-tail duckbill grows to a maximum of about 24 cm.

Is the Spotted-tail duckbill dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotted-tail duckbill is harmless to humans.

Is the Spotted-tail duckbill edible?

The Spotted-tail duckbill is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vlekstaart-eendbekvis inferred
English name
Spotted-tail duckbill verified
Scientific name
Bembrops caudimacula
Family
Percophidae
Other names
Tailspot duckbill sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
24.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom verified
Min depth (m)
186.0 verified
Max depth (m)
500.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
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 verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Bembrops

More from the family Percophidae

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