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Boarfish (Antigonia malayana) — Caproidae

Boarfish

Antigonia malayana
Family: Caproidae

The Boarfish (Antigonia malayana) is a saltwater fish of the family Caproidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
165.0–304.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; continental shelf and slope.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The deepbody boarfish is a boarfish (Caproidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a conspicuously deep, rhomboid, strongly laterally compressed body, often reddish in colour, with large eyes and a small, protrusible mouth. It is a benthic species of the continental shelf and slope at considerable depth. With its small mouth it picks small benthic invertebrates and zooplankton. Owing to the great depth at which it occurs, little is known about its biology. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Boarfish?

The Boarfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Deep, diamond-shaped, reddish body with large eyes; deep-water bottom fish.

Where does the Boarfish live?

The Boarfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific; continental shelf and slope.

How big does the Boarfish get?

The Boarfish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Boarfish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Boarfish edible?

The Boarfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Boarfish verified
Scientific name
Antigonia malayana
Family
Caproidae
Other names
Malayan deepsea boarfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.7 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
165.0 verified
Max depth (m)
304.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; continental shelf and slope. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates and zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups 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
Deep, diamond-shaped, reddish body with large eyes; deep-water bottom fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. 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

Same genus Antigonia

More from the family Caproidae

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