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Blacktip poacher (Xeneretmus latifrons) — Agonidae

Blacktip poacher

Xeneretmus latifrons
Family: Agonidae

The Blacktip poacher (Xeneretmus latifrons) is a saltwater fish of the family Agonidae that grows up to 19 cm.

Length
19 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
18.0–400.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northeast Pacific; soft bottoms of the continental shelf.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The blacktip poacher is a poacher (Agonidae) from the northeastern Pacific. The species has an elongate body entirely armoured with bony plates and a broad, flattened head. It lives bottom-bound on soft bottoms of the continental shelf and deeper; the larvae live pelagically. As a bottom hunter it feeds almost exclusively on small crustaceans. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blacktip poacher?

The Blacktip poacher has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Body entirely armoured with bony plates; armour-headed bottom-dweller that eats mainly crustaceans.

Where does the Blacktip poacher live?

The Blacktip poacher lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northeast Pacific; soft bottoms of the continental shelf.

How big does the Blacktip poacher get?

The Blacktip poacher grows to a maximum of about 19 cm.

Is the Blacktip poacher dangerous to humans?

No, the Blacktip poacher is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blacktip poacher edible?

The Blacktip poacher is not usually eaten.

More photos

Blacktip poacher (Xeneretmus latifrons) — Agonidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) jnnnnn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blacktip poacher (Xeneretmus latifrons) — Agonidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) coltonfishing, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blacktip poacher (Xeneretmus latifrons) — Agonidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — NOAA Photo Library (Public domain)
Blacktip poacher (Xeneretmus latifrons) — Agonidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — NOAA Photo Library (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Blacktip poacher verified
Scientific name
Xeneretmus latifrons
Family
Agonidae
Other names
Blacktip poacher verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
18.0 verified
Max depth (m)
400.0 verified
Natural range
Northeast Pacific; soft bottoms of the continental shelf. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Almost exclusively small crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Body entirely armoured with bony plates; armour-headed bottom-dweller that eats mainly crustaceans. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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 sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Agonidae

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